Recycle friendly and sustainable absorbent articles

ABSTRACT

An absorbent article comprising a topsheet, a backsheet joined to the topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet and comprising a core absorbent material, in which the core absorbent material comprises superabsorbent polymers with a bio-based content from about 5% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B and the absorbent article comprises a polyolefin content of at least about 90% by weight, based on a total weight of the absorbent article excluding the core absorbent material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of, and claims priority under 35U.S.C. § 120 to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/207,327, filed onDec. 3, 2018, which claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/597,539, filed on Dec. 12,2017, the entire disclosures of both of which are incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD

The present disclosure is directed to absorbent articles, and moreparticularly to absorbent articles comprising one or more componentsthat are recycle friendly and comprise bio-based, sustainable materials.

BACKGROUND

Absorbent articles typically comprise a topsheet, a backsheet, and anabsorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. Theabsorbent article may also comprise an acquisition layer thattemporarily stores liquid bodily exudates received from the topsheetbefore being received by the absorbent core. The absorbent coretypically comprises superabsorbent polymer particles that absorb andstore the liquid bodily exudates.

Absorbent articles typically comprise a wide variety of differentmaterials, including plastic films, foam, superabsorbent polymerparticles, natural materials such as cellulose fiber, etc., many ofwhich may be bonded or joined together. Due to the presence of bodilyexudates and the cost and difficulty associated with separating thecomponent materials and rendering them suitable for reuse, usedabsorbent articles have typically been excluded from the stream of wasteproducts for differential collection and recycling. As a result, mostused absorbent articles are currently disposed of as regular,undifferentiated waste. The proliferation of regulations limitinglandfill waste, along with rising costs, have made traditional disposalof waste in landfills less desirable. In addition, global demand forabsorbent articles is expected to rise due to increasing birth rates indeveloping countries, rising household incomes, and a growing agingpopulation. The growing demand for absorbent articles will furtherexacerbate the amount of absorbent articles going to landfill.Communities around the globe are seeking solutions to the growing wastestream of used absorbent articles. Furthermore, there is global interestin creating a circular economy in various parts of the world byinstituting materials recycling programs for metals, plastics, packagingmaterials, and other materials and/or products, including absorbentarticles. However, many obstacles remain to achieving meaningful levelsof recycling for used absorbent articles. For example, in order forrecycling to be technologically and economically feasible, eachdifferent material of the absorbent article requires a suitablerecycling process or material-specific separation means within theoverall recycling process and an appropriate end use and/or market forthe separated recycled material. The more materials to be separated inthe absorbent article recycling operation, the more complex andexpensive the recycling operation becomes. In addition, conventional,non-recyclable materials that are currently used in the manufacture ofabsorbent articles possess certain desired characteristics (e.g.,softness, breathability, processability, etc.), and recyclable materialsmust provide these same characteristics as well to be acceptablesubstitutes.

In addition, the vast majority of commercially available absorbentarticles, such as diapers, contain a significant amount ofpetrochemicals or polymers or other materials derived frompetrochemicals. For example, most mass-produced diapers include fibrousouter layers, topsheet components, core wrap components, cuffs, andother fibrous layers or components that generally containpetroleum-based fibers and a liquid barrier layer or other filmcomponents made from a petroleum-based polymers or materials.Additionally, most mass-produced absorbent articles, such as diaperscomprise include superabsorbent polymers derived from petroleum-basedpolymers or materials. However, fossil fuels are a finite resource andglobal demand for petroleum continues to increase due to growingpopulations and increasing standards of living worldwide.

Given there may be a limited amount of petroleum in the world, it isprudent to create absorbent articles which are more readily recycled,are designed for simple recycling, or designed to be friendly in arecycling operation. Additionally, the absorbent article design shouldbe from materials derived from bio-based means or means which are notdependent upon materials for chemicals derived from petroleum sources.Furthermore, consumers are interested in purchasing absorbent articles,such as diapers, which are environmentally friendly, green, or made fromsustainable sources and are also designed to be recycle friendly. Net,there is a need for absorbent articles with improved recyclability andsustainability.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides absorbent articles comprising a highcontent of a recyclable material, such as one or more polyolefins, andone or more components comprising bio-based materials. Some currentabsorbent articles contain one or more components comprising apolyolefin. However, these absorbent articles typically also containmultiple other types of recyclable and non-recyclable plastics and othermaterials. Each of these different materials must be separated, and asuitable recycling stream must be found for each material. Reducing thenumber of different materials contained in the absorbent articleenhances recyclability by simplifying the separation process anddecreasing the number of recycling streams, while yielding high purityrecycled components. In addition, increasing the amount of contentderived from sustainable, bio-based sources helps to alleviate demandfor non-renewable resources and meets the growing consumer demand forabsorbent articles, such as diapers, which are made with sustainablematerials.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an absorbentarticle is provided comprising: a topsheet; a backsheet joined to thetopsheet; and an absorbent core positioned intermediate the topsheet andthe backsheet and comprising a core absorbent material. The coreabsorbent material may comprise superabsorbent polymers with a bio-basedcontent from about 5% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B. Theabsorbent article may comprise a polyolefin content of at least about90% by weight, based on a total weight of the absorbent articleexcluding the core absorbent material.

The polyolefin content may comprise at least about 95% by weight or atleast about 97% by weight or at least about 99% by weight, based on thetotal weight of the absorbent article excluding the core absorbentmaterial.

The bio-based content of the superabsorbent polymers may comprise fromabout 10% to about 100% or from about 25% to about 100% or from about40% to about 100% or from about 50% to about 100% or from about 75% toabout 100% or from about 90% to about 100%, using ASTM D6866-10, methodB.

The core absorbent material may comprise at least about 60% by weight orat least about 70% by weight or at least about 90% by weight of thesuperabsorbent polymers.

In some example, the core absorbent material may be substantially freeof absorbent pulp. In other examples, the core absorbent material mayfurther comprise an absorbent pulp.

The topsheet may comprise a bio-based polyolefin with a bio-basedcontent from about 5% to about 100% or from about 10% to about 100% orfrom about 25% to about 100% or from about 40% to about 100% or fromabout 50% to about 100% or from about 75% to about 100% or from about90% to about 100%, using ASTM D6866-10, method B.

The backsheet may comprise a bio-based polyolefin with a bio-basedcontent from about 5% to about 100% or from about 10% to about 100% orfrom about 25% to about 100% or from about 40% to about 100% or fromabout 50% to about 100% or from about 75% to about 100% or from about90% to about 100%, using ASTM D6866-10, method B.

The topsheet may comprise a nonwoven topsheet; the backsheet maycomprise one or more of a backsheet film or a backsheet nonwoven web;and the absorbent article may further comprise one or more of a landingzone, a stretch ear film, a back ear nonwoven web, tape tabs, ear hooks,a front ear nonwoven web, a waist feature nonwoven web, waist featureelastics, a barrier leg cuff nonwoven web, outer leg elastics, anacquisition material, a core cover nonwoven web, chassis adhesives, orcore adhesives.

At least one of the nonwoven topsheet, the backsheet film, the backsheetnonwoven web, the landing zone, the stretch ear film, the back earnonwoven web, the tape tabs, the ear hooks, the front ear nonwoven web,the waist feature nonwoven web, the waist feature elastics, the barrierleg cuff nonwoven web, the outer leg elastics, the acquisition material,the core cover nonwoven web, the chassis adhesives, or the coreadhesives may comprise a bio-based polyolefin with a bio-based contentfrom about 10% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B. At least oneof the nonwoven topsheet, the backsheet film, the backsheet nonwovenweb, the landing zone, the stretch ear film, the back ear nonwoven web,the tape tabs, the ear hooks, the front ear nonwoven web, the waistfeature nonwoven web, the waist feature elastics, the barrier leg cuffnonwoven web, the outer leg elastics, the acquisition material, the corecover nonwoven web, the chassis adhesives, or the core adhesives maycomprise at least about 50% by weight or at least about 75% by weight orat least 95% by weight of polyolefin. The at least one component thatcomprises at least about 50% by weight or at least about 75% by weightor at least 95% by weight of polyolefin may comprise a bio-basedpolyolefin with a bio-based content from about 5% to about 100% usingASTM D6866-10, method B.

The absorbent article may further comprise an acquisition material thatis positioned intermediate the topsheet and the absorbent core, in whichthe absorbent core is positioned intermediate the acquisition materialand the backsheet.

The polyolefin may comprise one or more of low density polyethylene,high density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, a propylenehomopolymer, an ethylene copolymer, or a propylene copolymer or one ormore blends thereof.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an absorbentarticle is provided comprising the following enumerated components: (1)a topsheet; (2) a backsheet film; (3) a backsheet nonwoven web; (4) alanding zone; (5) a stretch ear film; (6) a back ear nonwoven web; (7)tape tabs; (8) ear hooks; (9) a front ear nonwoven web; (10) a waistfeature nonwoven web; (11) waist feature elastics; (12) a barrier legcuff nonwoven web; (13) outer leg elastics; (14) an acquisitionmaterial; (15) a core cover nonwoven web; (16) chassis adhesives; and(17) core adhesives. The topsheet may be joined to a backsheet definedby the backsheet film and the backsheet nonwoven web. The core covernonwoven web and a core absorbent material may be positionedintermediate the topsheet and the backsheet. At least 13 of the 17enumerated components of the absorbent article may comprise one or morepolyolefins. The core absorbent material may comprise superabsorbentpolymers with a bio-based content from about 5% to about 100% using ASTMD6866-10, method B.

At least 14 or at least 15 or at least 16 of the 17 enumeratedcomponents of the absorbent article may comprise one or morepolyolefins.

At least one or at least two or at least three or at least four or atleast five of the 17 enumerated components that comprise one or morepolyolefins may comprise a bio-based polyolefin with a bio-based contentfrom about 5% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B.

At least one of the 17 enumerated components that comprises one or morepolyolefins may comprise a bio-based polyolefin with a bio-based contentfrom about 10% to about 100% or from about 25% to about 100% or fromabout 40% to about 100% or from about 50% to about 100% or from about75% to about 100% or from about 90% to about 100%, using ASTM D6866-10,method B.

The bio-based content of the superabsorbent polymers may comprise fromabout 10% to about 100% or from about 25% to about 100% or from about40% to about 100% or from about 50% to about 100% or from about 75% toabout 100% or from about 90% to about 100%, using ASTM D6866-10, methodB using ASTM D6866-10, method B.

In some examples, the core absorbent material may be substantially freeof an absorbent pulp. In other examples, the core absorbent material mayfurther comprise an absorbent pulp.

The core absorbent material may comprise at least about 60% by weight orat least about 70% by weight or at least about 90% by weight of thesuperabsorbent polymers.

At least one of the topsheet, the backsheet film, the backsheet nonwovenweb, the landing zone, the stretch ear film, the back ear nonwoven web,the tape tabs, the ear hooks, the front ear nonwoven web, the waistfeature nonwoven web, the waist feature elastics, the barrier leg cuffnonwoven web, the outer leg elastics, the acquisition material, the corecover nonwoven web, the chassis adhesives; or the core adhesives maycomprise at least about 50% by weight or at least 75% by weight or atleast about 95% by weight of polyolefin.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an absorbentarticle is provided comprising the following enumerated components: (1)a topsheet; (2) a backsheet film; (3) a backsheet nonwoven web; (4) beltelastics; (5) a belt nonwoven web; (6) chassis adhesives; (7) a barrierleg cuff nonwoven web; (8) outer leg elastics; (9) an acquisitionmaterial; (10) a core cover nonwoven web; and (11) core adhesives. Thetopsheet may be joined to a backsheet defined by the backsheet film andthe backsheet nonwoven web. The core cover nonwoven web and a coreabsorbent material may be positioned intermediate the topsheet and thebacksheet. At least 7 of the 11 enumerated components of the absorbentarticle may comprise one or more polyolefins. The core absorbentmaterial may comprise superabsorbent polymers with a bio-based contentfrom about 5% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B.

At least 8 or at least 9 or at least 10 of the 11 enumerated componentsof the absorbent article may comprise one or more polyolefins.

At least one or at least two or at least three or at least four or atleast five of the 11 enumerated components that comprise one or morepolyolefins may comprise a bio-based polyolefin with a bio-based contentfrom about 5% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B.

At least one of the enumerated components that comprises one or morepolyolefins may comprise a bio-based polyolefin with a bio-based contentfrom about 10% to about 100% or from about 25% to about 100% or fromabout 40% to about 100% or from about 50% to about 100% or from about75% to about 100% or from about 90% to about 100%, using ASTM D6866-10,method B.

The bio-based content of the superabsorbent polymers may comprise fromabout 10% to about 100% or from about 25% to about 100% or from about40% to about 100% or from about 50% to about 100% or from about 75% toabout 100% or from about 90% to about 100%, using ASTM D6866-10, methodB using ASTM D6866-10, method B.

In some examples, the core absorbent material may be substantially freeof an absorbent pulp. In other examples, the core absorbent material mayfurther comprise an absorbent pulp.

The core absorbent material may comprise at least about 60% by weight orat least 70% by weight or at least 90% by weight of the superabsorbentpolymers.

At least one of the topsheet, the backsheet film, the backsheet nonwovenweb, the belt elastics, the belt nonwoven web, the chassis adhesives,the barrier leg cuff nonwoven web, the outer leg elastics, theacquisition material, the core cover nonwoven web, or the core adhesivesmay comprise at least about 50% by weight or at least 75% by weight orat least 95% by weight of polyolefin.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a packagecomprising a plurality of the absorbent articles according to thepresent disclosure is provided, in which the package has an In-Bag StackHeight of from about 70 mm to about 110 mm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an example absorbent article in the form of ataped diaper, garment-facing surface facing the viewer, in a flatlaid-out state;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the example absorbent article of FIG. 1,wearer-facing surface facing the viewer, in a flat laid-out state;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the absorbent article of FIGS. 1and 2 in a fastened position;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of an absorbent article in the formof a pant;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the absorbent article of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the absorbent article of FIG. 4, laid flat,with a garment-facing surface facing the viewer;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article taken aboutline 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article taken aboutline 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of an example absorbent core or an absorbentarticle;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view, taken about line 10-10, of theabsorbent core of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view, taken about line 11-11, of theabsorbent core of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of an example absorbent article of the presentdisclosure that is a sanitary napkin;

FIG. 13 is an example cross-sectional view taken within a front waistregion of an absorbent article;

FIG. 14 is an example cross-sectional view taken within a crotch regionof an absorbent article;

FIG. 15 is an example cross-sectional view taken within a back waistregion of an absorbent article; and

FIG. 16 is a side view of a package containing a plurality of absorbentarticles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Definition of Terms

The term “absorbent article” may include disposable articles such assanitary napkins, panty liners, tampons, interlabial devices, wounddressings, pants, taped diapers, adult incontinence articles, wipes, andthe like. At least some of such absorbent articles are intended for theabsorption of body liquids, such as menses or blood, vaginal discharges,urine, and feces. Wipes may be used to absorb body liquids, or may beused for other purposes, such as for cleaning surfaces. The nonwovenmaterials described herein may comprise at least part of other articlessuch as scouring pads, wet or dry-mop pads (such as SWIFFER® pads),paper towels, toilet tissue, and the like.

The term “bio-based” may be used herein to refer to a component of anabsorbent article that can be produced or is derived from a renewableresource, as defined herein.

“Bio-based content” refers to the amount of carbon from a renewableresource in a material as a percent of the mass of the total organiccarbon in the material, as determined by ASTM D6866-10, method B. Inorder to apply the methodology of ASTM D6866-10, method B, to determinethe bio-based content of any absorbent article or component thereof, asample may be ground into particulates less than about 20 mesh usingknown grinding methods (e.g., Wiley® mill (Thomas Scientific, LLC)), anda representative sample of suitable mass taken from the randomly mixedparticles. Alternatively, if the sample is merely a layer of material,then the layer itself may be analyzed without the need for apre-grinding step. Determining the bio-based content of a component ofan absorbent would first require the component to be dissected,isolated, or cleanly removed from a completed absorbent article as thefirst step of the analysis. The bio-based content of a componentmaterial as described herein would be the mean value of representativesampling of the component as describe above from five differentabsorbent articles from a given package of absorbent articles or fiveabsorbent articles from randomly purchased packages of a given absorbentarticle. Note that any carbon from inorganic sources, such as calciumcarbonate, is not included in determining the bio-based content of thematerial. See additional information below for measuring bio-sourcedcontent in polymers. Components of the absorbent articles described inthis application may be at least partially comprised of bio-sourcedcontent as described in the following published U.S. patentapplications: U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. Nos. 2007/0219521, 2011/0139658,2011/0139657, 2011/0152812, 2011/0139662, and 2011/0139659.

The term “disposable” may be used herein to describe absorbent articlesand other products which are not intended to be laundered or otherwiserestored or reused as an absorbent article or product (i.e., they areintended to be discarded after use and, preferably, to be recycled,composted or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally compatiblemanner).

Absorbent articles of the present invention may be “devoid of” or “freeof” particular undesirable materials, ingredients, or characteristics insome forms. “Devoid of,” “free of,” and the like, as those terms areused herein, may mean that the absorbent article does not have more thantrace amounts of background levels of the material, ingredient, orcharacteristic following these qualifiers; the amount of the material oringredient does not cause harm or irritation that consumers typicallyassociate with the material or ingredient; or the material or ingredientwas not added to the absorbent article intentionally. In some instances,“devoid of” and “free of” can mean there is no measurable amount of thematerial or ingredient. For example, the absorbent article in some formscontain no measurable amounts of chlorine—that is, the article ischaracterized as being totally chlorine free.

The terms “elastic,” “elastomer,” and “elastomeric” may be used hereinto refer to any material that is able to extend to a strain of at least50% without breaking or rupturing when subjected to a tensile force andis able to recover substantially to its original dimensions after theforce has been removed.

The term “film” refers to a sheet-like material wherein the length andwidth of the material far exceed the thickness of the material.Typically, films have a thickness of about 0.5 mm or less.

The term “joined to” encompasses configurations in which an element isdirectly secured to another element by affixing the element directly tothe other element; configurations in which the element is indirectlysecured to the other element by affixing the element to intermediatemember(s) which in turn are affixed to the other element; andconfigurations in which one element is integral with another element,i.e., one element is essentially part of the other element. The term“joined to” encompasses configurations in which an element is secured toanother element at selected locations, as well as configurations inwhich an element is completely secured to another element across theentire surface of one of the elements. The term “joined to” includes anyknown manner in which elements may be secured including, but not limitedto mechanical entanglement.

The term “machine direction” or “MD” may be used herein to refer to thedirection of material flow through a manufacturing process. In addition,relative placement and movement of material can be described as flowingin the machine direction through a process from upstream in the processto downstream in the process. The term “cross direction” or “CD” may beused herein to refer to a direction that is generally perpendicular tothe machine direction.

“Natural fibers” refers to elongated substances produced by plants andanimals and includes animal-based fibers and plant-based fibers, asthose categories are described herein. Natural fibers, as that term isused herein, include fibers harvested without any post-harvest treatmentstep, as well as those having a post-treatment step, such as, forexample, washing, scouring, bleaching, etc.

“Naturally-derived” materials include materials that are partiallychemically altered without petroleum components and that have beenminimally processed such that they not be altered to such an extent thatthey are substantially less biodegradable or more toxic.

“Plant-based fibers,” as that term is used herein, includes bothharvested fibers and synthetic fibers that comprise bio-based content.Harvested plant-based fibers include cellulosic matter, such as woodpulp; seed hairs, such as cotton; stem (or bast) fibers, such as flaxand hemp; leaf fibers, such as sisal; and husk fibers, such as coconut.

The term “recyclable” may be used herein to refer to a material (e.g.,plastic, paper, etc.) that has the ability to enter into establishedrecycling streams or be used in a recycling stream avoiding the normalfate of a disposable absorbent product, namely deposition in a landfill.The term “renewable resource” may be used herein to refer to a naturalresource that may be produced by a natural process at a rate comparableto its rate of consumption (e.g., within a 100 year time frame). Theresource may be replenished naturally, or via engineered agriculturaltechniques. Non-limiting examples of renewable resources may includeplants, animals, fish, bacteria, fungi, and forestry products. Theseresources may be naturally occurring, hybrids, or genetically engineeredorganisms. Natural resources such as crude oil, coal, and peat that takelonger than 100 years to form are generally not considered to berenewable resources.

The term “web” is used herein to refer to a material whose primarydimension is X-Y, i.e., along its length (or longitudinal direction) andwidth (or transverse direction). It should be understood that the term“web” is not necessarily limited to single layers or sheets of material.Thus, the web may comprise laminates or combinations of several sheetsof the requisite type of materials.

Validation of Polymers Derived from Renewable Resources

A suitable validation technique is through ¹⁴C analysis. A small amountof the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is radioactive. This ¹⁴C carbondioxide is created when nitrogen is struck by an ultra-violet lightproduced neutron, causing the nitrogen to lose a proton and form carbonof molecular weight 14, which is immediately oxidized to carbon dioxide.This radioactive isotope represents a small but measurable fraction ofatmospheric carbon. Atmospheric carbon dioxide is cycled by green plantsto make organic molecules during photosynthesis. The cycle is completedwhen the green plants or other forms of life metabolize the organicmolecules, thereby producing carbon dioxide that is released back to theatmosphere. Virtually all forms of life on Earth depend on this greenplant production of organic molecules to grow and reproduce. Therefore,the ¹⁴C that exists in the atmosphere becomes part of all life forms andtheir biological products. In contrast, fossil fuel-based carbon doesnot have the signature radiocarbon ratio of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Assessment of the renewably-based carbon in a material may be performedthrough standard test methods. Using radiocarbon and isotope ratio massspectrometry analysis, the bio-based content of materials may bedetermined. ASTM International, formally known as the American Societyfor Testing and Materials, has established a standard method forassessing the bio-based content of materials. The ASTM method isdesignated ASTM D6866-10, method B.

The application of ASTM D6866-10, method B, to derive a “bio-basedcontent” is built on the same concepts as radiocarbon dating, butwithout use of the age equations. The analysis is performed by derivinga ratio of the amount of organic radiocarbon (¹⁴C) in an unknown sampleto that of a modern reference standard. The ratio is reported as apercentage with the units “pMC” (percent modern carbon).

The modern reference standard used in radiocarbon dating is a NIST(National Institute of Standards and Technology) standard with a knownradiocarbon content equivalent approximately to the year AD 1950. AD1950 was chosen since it represented a time prior to thermo-nuclearweapons testing, which introduced large amounts of excess radiocarboninto the atmosphere with each explosion (termed “bomb carbon”). The AD1950 reference represents 100 pMC.

“Bomb carbon” in the atmosphere reached almost twice normal levels in1963 at the peak of testing and prior to the treaty halting the testing.Its distribution within the atmosphere has been approximated since itsappearance, showing values that are greater than 100 pMC for plants andanimals living since AD 1950. It has gradually decreased over time withtoday's value being near 107.5 pMC. This means that a fresh biomassmaterial such as corn could give a radiocarbon signature near 107.5 pMC.

Combining fossil carbon with present day carbon into a material willresult in a dilution of the present day pMC content. By presuming 107.5pMC represents present day biomass materials and 0 pMC representspetroleum derivatives, the measured pMC value for that material willreflect the proportions of the two component types. A material derived100% from present day soybeans would give a radiocarbon signature near107.5 pMC. If that material was diluted with 50% petroleum derivatives,for example, it would give a radiocarbon signature near 54 pMC (assumingthe petroleum derivatives have the same percentage of carbon as thesoybeans).

A bio-based content result is derived by assigning 100% equal to 107.5pMC and 0% equal to 0 pMC. In this regard, a sample measuring 99 pMCwill give an equivalent bio-based content value of 92%.

Assessment of the materials described herein may be done in accordancewith ASTM D6866-10, method B. The mean values quoted in a report fromthis type of analysis encompass an absolute range of 6% (plus and minus3% on either side of the bio-based content value) to account forvariations in end-component radiocarbon signatures. It is presumed thatall materials are present day or fossil in origin and that the bio-basedcontent result is the amount of bio-based component “present” in thematerial. One company providing reports on or performing bio-basedcontent analysis of a component of an absorbent article according toASTM D6866-10, method B is Beta Analytic Inc. of Miami, Fla.

General Description of an Absorbent Article

An example absorbent article 10 according to the present disclosure,shown in the form of a taped diaper, is represented in FIGS. 1-3. FIG. 1is a plan view of the example absorbent article 10, garment-facingsurface 2 facing the viewer in a flat, laid-out state (i.e., no elasticcontraction). FIG. 2 is a plan view of the example absorbent article 10of FIG. 1, wearer-facing surface 4 facing the viewer in a flat, laid-outstate. FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the absorbent article 10 ofFIGS. 1 and 2 in a fastened configuration. The absorbent article 10 ofFIGS. 1-3 is shown for illustration purposes only, as the presentdisclosure may be used for making a wide variety of diapers, includingadult incontinence products, pants, or other absorbent articles, such assanitary napkins and absorbent pads, for example.

The absorbent article 10 may comprise a front waist region 12, a crotchregion 14, and a back waist region 16. The crotch region 14 may extendintermediate the front waist region 12 and the back waist region 16. Thefront waist region 12, the crotch region 14, and the back waist region16 may each be ⅓ of the length of the absorbent article 10. Theabsorbent article 10 may comprise a front end edge 18, a back end edge20 opposite to the front end edge 18, and longitudinally extending,transversely opposed side edges 22 and 24 defined by the chassis 52.

The absorbent article 10 may comprise a liquid permeable topsheet 26, aliquid impermeable backsheet 28, and an absorbent core 30 positioned atleast partially intermediate the topsheet 26 and the backsheet 28. Theabsorbent article 10 may also comprise one or more pairs of barrier legcuffs 32 with or without elastics 33, one or more pairs of outer legelastics 34, one or more elastic waistbands 36, and/or one or moreacquisition materials 38. The acquisition material or materials 38 maybe positioned intermediate the topsheet 26 and the absorbent core 30. Anouter cover material 40, such as a nonwoven material, may cover agarment-facing side of the backsheet 28. The absorbent article 10 maycomprise back ears 42 in the back waist region 16. The back ears 42 maycomprise fasteners 46 and may extend from the back waist region 16 ofthe absorbent article 10 and attach (using the fasteners 46) to thelanding zone area or landing zone material 44 on a garment-facingportion of the front waist region 12 of the absorbent article 10. Theabsorbent article 10 may also have front ears 47 in the front waistregion 12. The absorbent article 10 may have a central lateral (ortransverse) axis 48 and a central longitudinal axis 50. The centrallateral axis 48 extends perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis50.

In other instances, the absorbent article may be in the form of a panthaving permanent or refastenable side seams. Suitable refastenable seamsare disclosed in U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2014/0005020 and U.S. Pat. No.9,421,137. Referring to FIGS. 4-8, an example absorbent article 10 inthe form of a pant is illustrated. FIG. 4 is a front perspective view ofthe absorbent article 10. FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of theabsorbent article 10. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the absorbent article 10,laid flat, with the garment-facing surface facing the viewer. Elementsof FIGS. 4-8 having the same reference number as described above withrespect to FIGS. 1-3 may be the same element (e.g., absorbent core 30).FIG. 7 is an example cross-sectional view of the absorbent article takenabout line 7-7 of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is an example cross-sectional view ofthe absorbent article taken about line 8-8 of FIG. 6. FIGS. 7 and 8illustrate example forms of front and back belts 54, 56.

The absorbent article 10 may have a front waist region 12, a crotchregion 14, and a back waist region 16. Each of the regions 12, 14, and16 may be ⅓ of the length of the absorbent article 10. The absorbentarticle 10 may have a chassis 52 (sometimes referred to as a centralchassis or central panel) comprising a topsheet 26, a backsheet 28, andan absorbent core 30 disposed at least partially intermediate thetopsheet 26 and the backsheet 28, and an optional acquisition material38, similar to that as described above with respect to FIGS. 1-3. Theabsorbent article 10 may comprise a front belt 54 in the front waistregion 12 and a back belt 56 in the back waist region 16. The chassis 52may be joined to a wearer-facing surface 4 of the front and back belts54, 56 or to a garment-facing surface 2 of the belts 54, 56 via one ormore chassis glues or adhesives and/or one or more non-adhesive methodsas described herein. Side edges 23 and 25 of the front belt 54 may bejoined to side edges 27 and 29, respectively, of the back belt 56 toform two side seams 58. The side seams 58 may be any suitable seamsknown to those of skill in the art, such as butt seams or overlap seams,for example. When the side seams 58 are permanently formed orrefastenably closed, the absorbent article 10 in the form of a pant hastwo leg openings 60 and a waist opening circumference 62. The side seams58 may be permanently joined using adhesives or bonds, for example, ormay be refastenably closed using hook and loop fasteners, for example.

Belts

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the front and back belts 54 and 56 maycomprise front and back inner belt layers 66 and 67 and front and backouter belt layers 64 and 65 having an elastomeric material (e.g.,strands 68 or a film (which may be apertured)) disposed at leastpartially therebetween. The elastic elements 68 or the film may berelaxed (including being cut) to reduce elastic strain over theabsorbent core 30 or, may alternatively, run continuously across theabsorbent core 30. The elastics elements 68 may have uniform or variablespacing therebetween in any portion of the belts 54, 56. The elasticelements 68 may also be pre-strained the same amount or differentamounts. The front and/or back belts 54 and 56 may have one or moreelastic element free zones 70 where the chassis 52 overlaps the belts54, 56. In other instances, at least some of the elastic elements 68 mayextend continuously across the chassis 52.

The front and back inner belt layers 66, 67 and the front and back outerbelt layers 64, 65 may be joined using adhesives, heat bonds, pressurebonds or thermoplastic bonds. Various suitable belt layer configurationscan be found in U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2013/0211363.

Front and back belt end edges 55 and 57 may extend longitudinally beyondthe front and back chassis end edges 19 and 21 (as shown in FIG. 6) orthey may be co-terminus. The front and back belt side edges 23, 25, 27,and 29 may extend laterally beyond the chassis side edges 22 and 24. Thefront and back belts 54 and 56 may be continuous (i.e., having at leastone layer that is continuous) from belt side edge to belt side edge(e.g., the transverse distances from 23 to 25 and from 27 to 29).Alternatively, the front and back belts 54 and 56 may be discontinuousfrom belt side edge to belt side edge (e.g., the transverse distancesfrom 23 to 25 and 27 to 29), such that they are discrete.

As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,901,393, the longitudinal length (alongthe central longitudinal axis 50) of the back belt 56 may be greaterthan the longitudinal length of the front belt 54, and this may beparticularly useful for increased buttocks coverage when the back belt56 has a greater longitudinal length versus the front belt 54 adjacentto or immediately adjacent to the side seams 58.

The front outer belt layer 64 and the back outer belt layer 65 may beseparated from each other, such that the layers are discrete or,alternatively, these layers may be continuous, such that a layer runscontinuously from the front belt end edge 55 to the back belt end edge57. This may also be true for the front and back inner belt layers 66and 67—that is, they may also be longitudinally discrete or continuous.Further, the front and back outer belt layers 64 and 65 may belongitudinally continuous while the front and back inner belt layers 66and 67 are longitudinally discrete, such that a gap is formed betweenthem—a gap between the front and back inner and outer belt layers 64,65, 66, and 67 is shown in FIG. 7 and a gap between the front and backinner belt layers 66 and 67 is shown in FIG. 8.

The front and back belts 54 and 56 may include slits, holes, and/orperforations providing increased breathability, softness, and agarment-like texture. Underwear-like appearance can be enhanced bysubstantially aligning the waist and leg edges at the side seams 58 (seeFIGS. 4 and 5).

The front and back belts 54 and 56 may comprise graphics (see e.g., 78of FIG. 1). The graphics may extend substantially around the entirecircumference of the absorbent article 10 and may be disposed acrossside seams 58 and/or across proximal front and back belt seams 15 and17; or, alternatively, adjacent to the seams 58, 15, and 17 in themanner described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,498,389 to create a moreunderwear-like article. The graphics may also be discontinuous.

Alternatively, instead of attaching belts 54 and 56 to the chassis 52 toform a pant, discrete side panels may be attached to side edges of thechassis 22 and 24. Suitable forms of pants comprising discrete sidepanels are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,645,190; 8,747,379; 8,372,052;8,361,048; 6,761,711; 6,817,994; 8,007,485; 7,862,550; 6,969,377;7,497,851; 6,849,067; 6,893,426; 6,953,452; 6,840,928; 8,579,876;7,682,349; 7,156,833; and 7,201,744.

Topsheet

The topsheet 26 is the outermost layer or component of the absorbentarticle 10 that is in contact with the wearer's skin. The topsheet 26may be joined to portions of the backsheet 28, the absorbent core 30,the barrier leg cuffs 32, and/or any other layers as is known to thoseof ordinary skill in the art. The topsheet 26 may be compliant,soft-feeling, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. Further, at leasta portion of, or all of, the topsheet 26 may be liquid permeable,permitting liquid bodily exudates to readily penetrate through itsthickness. A suitable topsheet may be manufactured from a wide range ofmaterials, such as porous foams, reticulated foams, apertured plasticfilms, woven materials, nonwoven materials, woven or nonwoven materialsof natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers orfilaments (e.g., a polyester or a polyolefin, such as polyethylene (PE),polypropylene (PP), or bicomponent PE/PP fibers or mixtures thereof), ora combination of natural and synthetic fibers.

In one form of the present disclosure, the topsheet 26 may be a nonwovenmaterial having one or multiple formed layers, nonwovens, or componentscomprising plant-based fibers other than wood pulp. The nonwoven may bemade through well-known techniques; for example, the nonwoven may be aspunbond, a carded and air-through, hydroentangled, or calendar bondednonwoven. The plant-based fibers may also be spun fibers made at leastin part from bio-based materials. For example, the plant-based fibersmay be spun poly lactic acid (PLA) fibers or bio-based polyolefin spunfibers. The plant-based fibers may be single component fibers ormulti-component fibers, in which less than all of the components areplant-based fibers. One example is a bi-component fiber comprising apolyester core component and a bio-based polyethylene sheath component.

The topsheet 26 may have one or more layers. The topsheet 26 may beapertured (FIG. 2, element 27), may have any suitable three-dimensionalfeatures, and/or may have a plurality of embossments (e.g., a bondpattern). The topsheet 26 may be apertured by overbonding a material andthen rupturing the overbonds through ring rolling, such as disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,628,097 and disclosed in U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. No.2016/0136014. The topsheet 26 may be hydrophilic or hydrophobic or mayhave hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic portions or layers. If the topsheet26 is hydrophobic, typically apertures will be present so that bodilyexudates may pass through the topsheet 26. The topsheet 26 may have abasis weight of from about 10 gsm to about 40 gsm.

In one form, the topsheet 26 may be a dual layer, spunbond nonwoven web.Each of the layers may have a basis weight from about 10 gsm to about 25gsm or 35 gsm. One layer may have similar or differenthydrophilicity/hydrophobicity profiles compared to the other layer. Inanother form, the topsheet 26 may be an air through carded nonwoven webcomprising a blend (e.g., 50-50 weight percent) of polyester fibers andbio-based polyethylene fibers. The basis weight of such a nonwoven istypically less than about 20 gsm, 25 gsm, 35 gsm, or 40 gsm.

Many commercially-available absorbent articles comprise a skin carecomposition on at least a portion of the topsheet 26. These compositionstend to contain petrolatum or other petroleum-based materials as theirmain component. In some forms of the present invention, the topsheet isdevoid of a lotion or skin care composition. However, a skin carecomposition or lotion may optionally be added to the topsheet 26, and ifso, it is preferred, but not required, to employ a composition basedupon natural or naturally-derived materials such as fats, oils, orwaxes, for example. The optional lotions may comprise vegetable oils,algae oils, bacterial-derived oils, and animal fats, combinations ofthese, and the like. Representative examples of vegetable oils includeargan oil, canola oil, rapeseed oil, coconut oil, corn oil, cottonseedoil, olive oil, palm oil, peanut oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, soybeanoil, sunflower oil, high oleoyl soybean oil, high oleoyl sunflower oil,linseed oil, palm kernel oil, tung oil, castor oil, high erucic rapeoils, Jatropha oil, combinations of these, and the like. Representativeexamples of animal fats include lard, tallow, chicken fat, yellowgrease, fish oil, combinations of these, and the like. A representativeexample of a synthesized oil includes tall oil, which is a byproduct ofwood pulp manufacture. Additional suitable lotion compositions derivedfrom renewable resources are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. No.2013/0144239.

Backsheet

The backsheet 28 is generally that portion of the absorbent article 10positioned proximate to the garment-facing surface of the absorbent core30. The backsheet 28 may be joined to portions of the topsheet 26, theouter cover material 40, the absorbent core 30, and/or any other layersof the absorbent article by any attachment methods known to those ofskill in the art. The backsheet 28 prevents, or at least inhibits, thebodily exudates absorbed and contained in the absorbent core 10 fromsoiling articles such as bedsheets, undergarments, and/or clothing. Thebacksheet 28 is typically liquid impermeable, or at least substantiallyliquid impermeable. The backsheet 28 may, for example, be or comprise athin plastic backsheet film, such as a thermoplastic film having athickness of about 0.012 mm to about 0.051 mm. Other suitable backsheetmaterials may include breathable materials or additives as describedherein (e.g. calcium carbonate particles) inducing microporous zones inthe backsheet film, which permit vapors to escape from the absorbentarticle 10, while still preventing, or at least inhibiting, bodilyexudates from passing through the backsheet. Backsheet films mayoptionally comprise bio-based materials, such as, for example, bio-basedpolyethylene, bio-based polypropylene, or other bio-based polyolefins.

Outer Cover Material

The outer cover material 40 (sometimes referred to as a backsheetnonwoven web) may comprise one or more nonwoven materials joined to thebacksheet 28 and that covers the backsheet 28. The outer cover material40 is typically the layer facing outward—i.e., towards garments orundergarments, when present, and away from the wearer's skin. Acaregiver interacts significantly with the outer cover material 40 whenholding/comforting the wearer and/or changing the absorbent article 10.The outer cover material 40 forms at least a portion of thegarment-facing surface 2 of the absorbent article 10 and effectively“covers” the backsheet 28 so that film is not present on thegarment-facing surface 2. The outer cover material 40 may comprise abond pattern, apertures, and/or three-dimensional features.

In one form, the outer cover material 40 may be a carded nonwoven or amulti-layered nonwoven comprising carded layers and one or more spunbondlayers. The outer cover nonwoven may comprise a combination ofplant-based fibers and synthetic fibers that are not plant-based. Forexample, the nonwoven may comprise both polypropylene fibers and cottonfibers; see, for example, U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2017/0203542. Thecotton content may range from about 3%, 5%, 10%, or 15% to about 50%, byweight of the nonwoven. When synthetic fibers such as polypropylene areemployed, it is preferred that the polypropylene be non-phthalatecatalyst polypropylene fibers. Furthermore, the polypropylene fibers maycomprise bio-based polyethylene, bio-based polypropylene, or otherbio-based polyolefins where such bio-based polyolefin is also phthalatefree.

In another form, the outer cover material 40 may comprise ahydroentangled, dual layer nonwoven web, in which one layer comprises apolypropylene spunbond web having a basis weight in the range of fromabout 5 to 15 gsm and the other layer comprises a carded nonwoven webcomprising cotton fibers and a basis weight in the range of from about10 to about 25 gsm. In a further form, the outer cover material 40 maycomprise an air through carded nonwoven web comprising a blend ofpolypropylene fibers and cotton fibers. The cotton fibers may beincluded in these nonwoven webs in an amount of about greater than orless than 5%, 10%, or 15% to about 20%, 30%, or 50%, by weight of theoverall nonwoven web.

Absorbent Core

As used herein, the term “absorbent core” 30 refers to the component ofthe absorbent article 10 having the most absorbent capacity and thatcomprises an absorbent material. Referring to FIGS. 9-11, in someinstances, a core absorbent material 72 may be positioned within a corebag or a core wrap or cover 74 made from, for example, a nonwoven web.The core absorbent material 72 may be profiled or not profiled,depending on the specific absorbent article. The absorbent core 30 maycomprise, consist essentially of, or consist of, a core wrap 74, coreabsorbent material 72, and core glue or adhesive enclosed within thecore wrap 74. The core wrap 74 may be constructed with one or morenonwoven webs. These nonwoven webs may comprise non-phthalate catalystpolymers. The nonwoven webs may also comprise bio-based materials,including plant-based fibers and/or bio-based materials such asbio-based polyolefins.

The core absorbent material 72 may comprise superabsorbent polymers, amixture of superabsorbent polymers and air felt (also referred to hereinas absorbent pulp), and/or only air felt. The core absorbent materialmay comprise just the core absorbent materials alone and not include thecore wrap, core wrap nonwovens, core glues or adhesives enclosed withinthe core wrap. The core glue or adhesive may be used to immobilize thesuperabsorbent polymer particles within the core wrap 74. In someinstances, the core absorbent material 72 may comprise at least 50%, atleast 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, atleast 95%, at least 99%, or up to 100% superabsorbent polymers, byweight of the core absorbent material 72. In some instances, the coreabsorbent material 72 may be free of air felt, or at least mostly freeof air felt. The absorbent core periphery, which may be the periphery ofthe core wrap 74, may define any suitable shape, such as rectangular“T,” “Y,” “hour-glass,” or “dog-bone” shaped, for example. An absorbentcore periphery having a generally “dog bone” or “hour-glass” shape maytaper along its width towards the crotch region 14 of the absorbentarticle 10.

Referring to FIGS. 9-11, the absorbent core 30 may have areas havinglittle or no core absorbent material 72, where a wearer-facing surfaceof the core wrap 74 may be joined to a garment-facing surface of thecore wrap 74. These areas having little or no core absorbent material 72may be referred to as “channels” 76. These channels 76 can embody anysuitable shapes and any suitable number of channels 76 may be provided.In other instances, the absorbent core 30 may be embossed to create theimpression of channels. The absorbent core 30 in FIGS. 9-11 is merely anexample absorbent core. Many other absorbent cores with or withoutchannels are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

The superabsorbent polymers of the core absorbent material 72 maycomprise a bio-based acrylic acid. In some examples, the superabsorbentpolymers may have a bio-based content of from about 5% to about 100%,from about 10% to about 100%, from about 25% to about 100%, from about40% to about 100%, from about 50% to about 100%, from about 75% to about100%, or from about 90% to about 100% and all ranges subsumed therein.Superabsorbent polymers comprising a desired bio-based content may beobtained, for example, by mixing acrylic acid derived from conventional(i.e., petroleum-based) sources with bio-based acrylic acid and formingthe superabsorbent polymers with the acrylic acid mixture.Superabsorbent polymers comprising the desired bio-based content mayalso be obtained, for example, by mixing superabsorbent polymers madefrom conventional acrylic acid with superabsorbent polymers made frombio-based acrylic acid.

Bio-based acrylic acid may be produced using one or more bio-basedintermediates. For example, production of conventional, petroleum-basedacrylic acid may involve use of petroleum naphtha derived from refiningof crude oil to produce propane and/or propene, which may then beoxidized to produce acrylic acid. Bio-based naphtha, which may bederived from renewable materials such plant oils (e.g., palm oil, talloil, etc.) and animal fat, including waste oils and fats, may be used toproduce propane that is then oxidized to produce bio-based acrylic acid.Bio-based propane may be produced from similar renewable sources such asplant and animal waste products and may also occur as a waste productfrom biofuel production. This bio-based propane may then be oxidized toproduce bio-based acrylic acid. In addition, bio-based acrylic acid maybe produced (directly) by dehydration of bio-based lactic acid or3-hydroxy propionic acid, which may be derived from, for example,microbial fermentation of plant-based sources (e.g., corn, rice, wastepaper, etc.) and from waste products such as glycerol obtained frombiofuel production. These methods may produce acrylic acid of highpurity, i.e., a purity of about 98 weight % acrylic acid or higher.While not wishing to be bound by theory, higher purity acrylic acid iscritical for achieving high performance superabsorbent polymercharacteristics, as well as consumer acceptable performance by theabsorbent article. Bio-based acrylic acid and methods of production arefurther described in U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2007/0219521 and U.S. Pat.Nos. 8,703,450; 9,630,901; and 9,822,197.

Barrier Leg Cuffs/Leg Elastics

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, for example, the absorbent article 10 maycomprise one or more pairs of barrier leg cuffs 32 and one or more pairsof outer leg elastics 34. The barrier leg cuffs 32 may be positionedlaterally inboard of leg elastics 34. Each barrier leg cuff 32 may beformed by a piece of nonwoven web as described herein that is bonded viaa chassis glue or adhesive and/or one or more non-adhesive methods asdescribed herein to the absorbent article 10 so that the barrier legcuff 32 extends upwards from a wearer-facing surface 4 of the absorbentarticle 10 and provides improved containment of body exudatesapproximately at the junction of the torso and legs of the wearer.Useful materials may include, but are not limited to,spunbond-meltblown-spunbond (SMS) nonwoven webs. Such webs may comprisenon-phthalate catalyst polypropylene fibers and/or plant-based fibers.Furthermore, these nonwoven webs may also comprise bio-based materials,including plant-based fibers and/or bio-based materials such asbio-based polyolefins.

The barrier leg cuffs 32 are delimited by a proximal edge joineddirectly or indirectly to the topsheet 26 and/or the backsheet 28 and afree terminal edge, which is intended to contact and form a seal withthe wearer's skin. The barrier leg cuffs 32 may extend at leastpartially between the front end edge 18 and the back end edge 20 of theabsorbent article 10 on opposite sides of the central longitudinal axis50 and may be at least present in the crotch region 14. The barrier legcuffs 32 may each comprise one or more elastics 33 (e.g., elasticstrands or strips) near or at the free terminal edge. These elastics 33cause the barrier leg cuffs 32 to help form a seal around the legs andtorso of a wearer. The outer leg elastics 34 extend at least partiallybetween the front end edge 18 and the back end edge 20 of the absorbentarticle 10. The leg elastics 34 essentially cause portions of theabsorbent article 10 proximate to the chassis side edges 22, 24 to helpform a seal around the legs of the wearer. The leg elastics 34 mayextend at least within the crotch region 14. The leg elastics may belatex-free.

Elastic Waistband

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the absorbent article 10 may comprise one ormore elastic waistbands 36. The elastic waistbands 36 may be positionedon the garment-facing surface 2 or the wearer-facing surface 4. As anexample, a first elastic waistband 36 may be present in the front waistregion 12 near the front belt end edge 18 and a second elastic waistband36 may be present in the back waist region 16 near the back end edge 20.The elastic waistbands 36 may comprise one or two layers of nonwovenwebs with an elastic film or elastic strands therebetween. The elasticwaistbands 36 may aid in sealing the absorbent article 10 around a waistof a wearer and at least inhibiting bodily exudates from escaping theabsorbent article 10 through the waist opening circumference. In someinstances, an elastic waistband may fully surround the waist openingcircumference of an absorbent article.

Acquisition/Distribution Materials

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 7, and 8, one or more acquisition and/ordistribution materials 38 (also referred to herein as “acquisitionmaterial(s)”) may be present at least partially intermediate thetopsheet 26 and the absorbent core 30. The acquisition materials 38 aretypically hydrophilic materials that provide significant wicking ofbodily exudates. These materials may dewater the topsheet 26 and quicklymove bodily exudates into the absorbent core 30. The acquisitionmaterials 38 may comprise one or more nonwoven materials, foams,cellulosic materials, cross-linked cellulosic materials, air laidcellulosic nonwoven materials, spunlace materials, or combinationsthereof, for example. The cellulosic materials and cross-linkedcellulosic materials may be bleached, but preferably not viachlorine-bleaching so as to be total chlorine free. Hydrogen peroxide isone exemplary bleaching material that is useful in making acquisitionmaterials 38 that are totally chlorine-free. In other embodiments,acquisition and/or distribution materials may comprise non-phthalatecatalyst polypropylene fibers and/or plant-based fibers. Furthermore,these nonwoven webs may also comprise bio-based materials, includingplant-based fibers and/or bio-based materials such as bio-basedpolyethylene, bio-based polypropylene, other bio-based polyolefins,bio-based polyesters, and combinations thereof including bi-componentfiber configurations.

In some instances, portions of the acquisition materials 38 may extendthrough portions of the topsheet 26, portions of the topsheet 26 mayextend through portions of the acquisition materials 38, and/or thetopsheet 26 may be nested with the acquisition materials 38. Typically,an acquisition material 38 may have a width and length that are smallerthan the width and length of the topsheet 26. The acquisition material38 may be a secondary topsheet in the feminine pad context. Theacquisition material 38 may have one or more channels as described abovewith reference to the absorbent core 30 (including the embossedversion). The channels in the acquisition material 38 may align or notalign with channels 76 in the absorbent core 30. In an example, a firstacquisition material may comprise a nonwoven material and as secondacquisition material may comprise a cross-linked cellulosic material.

Landing Zone

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the absorbent article 10 may have a landingzone area 44 that is formed in a portion of the garment-facing surface 2of the outer cover material 40. The landing zone area 44 may be in theback waist region 16 if the absorbent article 10 fastens from front toback or may be in the front waist region 12 if the absorbent article 10fastens back to front. In some instances, the landing zone 44 may be ormay comprise one or more discrete nonwoven materials that are attachedto a portion of the outer cover material 40 in the front waist region 12or the back waist region 16 depending upon whether the absorbent article10 fastens in the front or the back. In essence, the landing zone 44 isconfigured to receive the fasteners 46 and may comprise, for example, aplurality of loops configured to be engaged with, a plurality of hookson the fasteners 46, or vice versa. Landing zone materials, landing zonenonwovens, landing zone nonwovens comprising loops, and fastener hooksmay contain polymers containing bio-based content.

Wetness Indicator/Graphics

Referring to FIG. 1, the absorbent articles 10 of the present disclosuremay comprise graphics 78 and/or wetness indicators 80 that are visiblefrom the garment-facing surface 2. The graphics 78 may be printed on thelanding zone 40, the backsheet 28, and/or at other locations. Thewetness indicators 80 are typically applied to the absorbent core facingside of the backsheet 28, so that they can be contacted by bodilyexudates within the absorbent core 30. In some instances, the wetnessindicators 80 may form portions of the graphics 78. For example, awetness indicator may appear or disappear and create/remove a characterwithin some graphics. In other instances, the wetness indicators 80 maycoordinate (e.g., same design, same pattern, same color) or notcoordinate with the graphics 78.

In one form, the wetness indicator 80 may comprise a color changingcomposition based upon a pH change when contacted with a chemicalcompound typically contained in urine. The color changing compositionmay be devoid of poly-aromatic hydrocarbons.

Front and Back Ears

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, as referenced above, the absorbent article10 may have front and/or back ears 47, 42 in a taped diaper context.Only one set of ears may be required in most taped diapers. The singleset of ears, e.g., the back ears 42, may comprise tape tabs 43comprising fasteners 46 (also referred to herein as ear hooks)configured to engage the landing zone or landing zone area 44. If twosets of ears are provided, in most instances, only one set of the earsmay have fasteners 46, with the other set being free of fasteners. Theears, or portions thereof, may be elastic or may have elastic panels. Inan example, a stretch or elastic film or stretch or elastic strands maybe positioned intermediate a first nonwoven web and a second nonwovenweb. In one embodiment, the back set of ears 42 are made from first andsecond nonwoven webs with an elastic film or elastic strandstherebetween, while the front set of ears 47 are made from a generallynon-elastic nonwoven web. The nonwoven materials may comprisenon-phthalate catalyst polypropylene fibers. Furthermore, these nonwovenmaterials or webs may also comprise bio-based materials, includingplant-based fibers and/or bio-based materials such as bio-basedpolyolefins.

The elastic film may or may not be apertured. The ears 42, 47 may beshaped. The ears 42, 47 may be integral (e.g., extension of the outercover material 40, the backsheet 28, and/or the topsheet 26) or may bediscrete components attached to a chassis 52 of the absorbent article 10on a wearer-facing surface 4, on the garment-facing surface 2, orintermediate the two surfaces 4, 2.

Adhesives

Adhesives as described herein may be employed to affix one component toanother component in the absorbent article's final assembly. Adhesivesmay also be employed to immobilize sub-components, such as, for example,particulate matter within an absorbent core component. The adhesives insome instances may be devoid of added fluorescence. Furthermore,adhesive may also comprise bio-based materials, including bio-basedmaterials such as bio-based polyolefins, bio-based polyethylenes,bio-based polypropylenes, bio-based alpha olefin polyolefins, andcombinations thereof.

Sensors

Referring again to FIG. 1, the absorbent articles of the presentdisclosure may comprise a sensor system 82 for monitoring changes withinthe absorbent article 10. The sensor system 82 may be discrete from orintegral with the absorbent article 10. The absorbent article 10 maycomprise sensors that can sense various aspects of the absorbent article10 associated with insults of bodily exudates such as urine and/or BM(e.g., the sensor system 82 may sense variations in temperature,humidity, presence of ammonia or urea, various vapor components of theexudates (urine and feces), changes in moisture vapor transmissionthrough the absorbent articles garment-facing layer, changes intranslucence of the garment-facing layer, and/or color changes throughthe garment-facing layer). Additionally, the sensor system 82 may sensecomponents of urine, such as ammonia or urea and/or byproducts resultingfrom reactions of these components with the absorbent article 10. Thesensor system 82 may sense byproducts that are produced when urine mixeswith other components of the absorbent article 10 (e.g., adhesives,agm). The components or byproducts being sensed may be present as vaporsthat may pass through the garment-facing layer. It may also be desirableto place reactants in the absorbent article that change state (e.g.color, temperature) or create a measurable byproduct when mixed withurine or BM. The sensor system 82 may also sense changes in pH,pressure, odor, the presence of gas, blood, a chemical marker or abiological marker or combinations thereof. The sensor system 82 may havea component on or proximate to the absorbent article that transmits asignal to a receiver more distal from the absorbent article, such as aniPhone, for example. The receiver may output a result to communicate tothe caregiver a condition of the absorbent article 10. In otherinstances, a receiver may not be provided, but instead the condition ofthe absorbent article 10 may be visually or audibly apparent from thesensor on the absorbent article.

Packages

The absorbent articles of the present disclosure may be placed intopackages. The packages may comprise a polymeric bag and an optionalcarton surrounding at least a portion of the polymeric bag. Thepolymeric bag may comprise bio-based polyolefin in some forms. Theoptional carton may be made of fiberboard and may contain recycledmaterial or a blend of recycled and virgin material. Each package maycomprise a plurality of absorbent articles.

Communication in the form of graphics and/or indicia relating toproperties of the absorbent articles may be formed on, printed on,positioned on, and/or placed on outer portions of the packages. Forexample, the communication may relate to the absence of certainundesirable materials, such as chlorine, perfume, scent, fragrance,lotion, non-phthalate-catalyst polypropylene, adhesives having addedflorescence, and green number 7 dye. The communication may also relateto features of the contained absorbent articles, such as, that theabsorbent articles have cotton (via cotton seal icon) or plant-basedmaterials.

The absorbent articles may be packed under compression so as to reducethe size of the packages, while still providing an adequate amount ofabsorbent articles per package. By packaging the absorbent articlesunder compression, caregivers can easily handle and store the packages,while also providing distribution savings to manufacturers owing to thesize of the packages.

Accordingly, packages of the absorbent articles of the presentdisclosure may have an In-Bag Stack Height of less than about 110 mm,less than about 105 mm, less than about 100 mm, less than about 95 mm,less than about 90 mm, less than about 85 mm, less than about 80 mm,less than about 78 mm, less than about 76 mm, less than about 74 mm,less than about 72 mm, or less than about 70 mm, specifically recitingall 0.1 mm increments within the specified ranges and all ranges formedtherein or thereby, according to the In-Bag Stack Height Test describedherein. Alternatively, packages of the absorbent articles of the presentdisclosure may have an In-Bag Stack Height of from about 70 mm to about110 mm, from about 70 mm to about 105 mm, from about 70 mm to about 100mm, from about 70 mm to about 95 mm, from about 70 mm to about 90 mm,from about 70 mm to about 85 mm, from about 72 mm to about 80 mm, orfrom about 74 mm to about 78 mm, specifically reciting all 0.1 mmincrements within the specified ranges and all ranges formed therein orthereby, according to the In-Bag Stack Height Test described herein.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example package 1000 comprising a plurality ofabsorbent articles 1004. The package 1000 defines an interior space 1002in which the plurality of absorbent articles 1004 are situated. Theplurality of absorbent articles 1004 are arranged in one or more stacks1006.

Arrays

“Array” means a display of packages comprising disposable absorbentarticles of different article constructions (e.g., different elastomericmaterials [compositionally and/or structurally] in the side panels, sideflaps and/or belts flaps, different graphic elements, different productstructures, fasteners or lack thereof). The packages may have the samebrand and/or sub-brand and/or the same trademark registration and/orhaving been manufactured by or for a common manufacturer and thepackages may be available at a common point of sale (e.g. oriented inproximity to each other in a given area of a retail store). An array ismarketed as a line-up of products normally having like packagingelements (e.g., packaging material type, film, paper, dominant color,design theme, etc.) that convey to consumers that the differentindividual packages are part of a larger line-up. Arrays often have thesame brand, for example, “Huggies,” and same sub-brand, for example,“Pull-Ups.” A different product in the array may have the same brand“Huggies” and the sub-brand “Little Movers.” The differences between the“Pull-Ups” product of the array and the “Little Movers” product in thearray may include product form, application style, different fasteningdesigns or other structural elements intended to address the differencesin physiological or psychological development. Furthermore, thepackaging is distinctly different in that “Pull-Ups” is packaged in apredominately blue or pink film bag and “Little Movers” is packaged in apredominately red film bag.

Further regarding “Arrays,” as another example an array may be formed bydifferent products having different product forms manufactured by thesame manufacturer, for example, “Kimberly-Clark”, and bearing a commontrademark registration for example, one product may have the brand name“Huggies,” and sub-brand, for example, “Pull-Ups.” A different productin the array may have a brand/sub-brand “Good Nites” and both areregistered trademarks of The Kimberly-Clark Corporation and/or aremanufactured by Kimberly-Clark. Arrays also often have the sametrademarks, including trademarks of the brand, sub-brand, and/orfeatures and/or benefits across the line-up. “On-line Array” means an“Array” distributed by a common on-line source.

Sanitary Napkin

Referring to FIG. 12, an absorbent article of the present disclosure maybe a sanitary napkin 110. The sanitary napkin 110 may comprise a liquidpermeable topsheet 114, a liquid impermeable, or substantially liquidimpermeable, backsheet 116, and an absorbent core 118. The liquidimpermeable backsheet 116 may or may not be vapor permeable. Theabsorbent core 118 may have any or all of the features described hereinwith respect to the absorbent core 30 and, in some forms, may have asecondary topsheet 119 (STS) instead of the acquisition materials 38disclosed above. The STS 119 may comprise one or more channels, asdescribed above (including the embossed version). In some forms,channels in the STS 119 may be aligned with channels in the absorbentcore 118. The sanitary napkin 110 may also comprise wings 120 extendingoutwardly with respect to a longitudinal axis 180 of the sanitary napkin110. The sanitary napkin 110 may also comprise a lateral axis 190. Thewings 120 may be joined to the topsheet 114, the backsheet 116, and/orthe absorbent core 118. The sanitary napkin 110 may also comprise afront edge 122, a back edge 124 longitudinally opposing the front edge122, a first side edge 126, and a second side edge 128 longitudinallyopposing the first side edge 126. The longitudinal axis 180 may extendfrom a midpoint of the front edge 122 to a midpoint of the back edge124. The lateral axis 190 may extend from a midpoint of the first sideedge 128 to a midpoint of the second side edge 128. The sanitary napkin110 may also be provided with additional features commonly found insanitary napkins as is known in the art.

Example Cross-Sections of Absorbent Articles

FIGS. 13-15 illustrate example cross-sectional views of absorbentarticles within the scope of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is anexample cross-sectional view taken within a front waist region 12 of anabsorbent article. FIG. 14 is an example cross-sectional view takenwithin a crotch region 14 of an absorbent article. FIG. 15 is an examplecross-sectional view taken within a back waist region 16 of an absorbentarticle. In FIGS. 13-15, an outer cover material is element 40, a liquidpermeable topsheet is element 26, opacity patches are elements 84, aliquid impermeable backsheet is element 28, an absorbent core is element30, with the core wrap being element 74, an absorbent material iselement 72, and a distribution material is element 86. The distributionmaterial 86 may comprise cross-linked cellulosic material and may beoptional. An acquisition material is element 88. Barrier leg cuffs areelements 90. Elastics in the barrier leg cuffs are elements 92. Backears are elements 42. Fasteners on the back ears 42 are elements 46.Construction glues and/or bonds between the various layers and/orcomponents have been removed for clarity. Other cross-sectionalconfigurations known to those of skill in the art are also within thescope of the present disclosure.

Absorbent Articles Comprising Recyclable and Sustainable Materials

The example absorbent articles of the present disclosure as shown inFIGS. 1-16 may comprise one or more recyclable materials and one or morecomponents comprising a bio-based material. In one example, an absorbentarticle according to the present disclosure may comprise a topsheet 26,114; a backsheet 28, 116 joined to the topsheet; and an absorbent core30, 118 positioned intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet andcomprising a core absorbent material. The core absorbent material maycomprise superabsorbent polymers with a bio-based content from about 5%to about 100%, as determined using ASTM D6866-10, method B, and theabsorbent article may comprise a polyolefin content of at least about90% by weight, based on a total weight of the absorbent articleexcluding the core absorbent material. In some particular examples, thepolyolefin content of the absorbent article may comprise at least about95% by weight, at least about 97% by weight, at least about 98% byweight, or at least about 99% by weight, based on a total weight of theabsorbent article excluding the core absorbent material.

In another example, an absorbent article according to the presentdisclosure, which may be disposable, may comprise the following 17enumerated components: (1) a topsheet 26, 114; (2) a backsheet film 28,116; (3) a backsheet nonwoven web (e.g., an outer cover material 40);(4) a landing zone 44; (5) a stretch or elastic ear film; (6) a back earnonwoven web; (7) tape tabs 43; (8) ear hooks 46; (9) a front earnonwoven web; (10) a waist feature nonwoven web; (11) waist featureelastics, such an elastic film or elastic strands; (12) a barrier legcuff nonwoven web; (13) outer leg elastics 34; (14) an acquisitionmaterial 38; (15) a core cover nonwoven web; (16) chassis adhesives; and(17) core adhesives, in which the topsheet is joined to a backsheet 28,116 defined by the backsheet film and the backsheet nonwoven web and thecore cover nonwoven web and a core absorbent material 72 are positionedintermediate the topsheet and the backsheet. At least 13 of the 17enumerated components of the absorbent article comprise one or morepolyolefins, and the core absorbent material comprises superabsorbentpolymers with a bio-based content from about 5% to about 100%, asdetermined using ASTM D6866-10, method B. In some particular examples,at least 14 or at least 15 or at least 16 of the 17 enumeratedcomponents of the absorbent article may comprise one or morepolyolefins. In other particular examples, at least one, at least two,at least three, at least four, or at least five of the 17 enumeratedcomponents that comprise one or more polyolefins may comprise abio-based polyolefin with a bio-based content from about 5% to about100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B. In further particular examples, asdescribed herein, at least one of the 17 enumerated components thatcomprises one or more polyolefins may comprise a bio-based polyolefinwith a bio-based content from about 10% to about 100%, from about 25% toabout 100%, from about 40% to about 100%, from about 50% to about 100%,from about 75% to about 100%, or from about 90% to about 100%, asdetermined using AS TM D6866-10, method B.

In a further example, an absorbent article according to the presentdisclosure, which may be disposable and may be in the form of a pant asdescribed herein, may comprise the following 11 enumerated components:(1) a topsheet; (2) a backsheet film; (3) a backsheet nonwoven web; (4)belt elastics; (5) a belt nonwoven web; (6) chassis adhesives; (7) abarrier leg cuff nonwoven web; (8) outer leg elastics; (9) anacquisition material; (10) a core cover nonwoven web; and (11) coreadhesives; in which the topsheet is joined to a backsheet 28, 116defined by the backsheet film and the backsheet nonwoven web and thecore cover nonwoven web and the core absorbent material are positionedintermediate the topsheet and the backsheet. At least 7 of the 11enumerated components of the absorbent article comprise one or morepolyolefins, and the core absorbent material comprises superabsorbentpolymers with a bio-based content from about 5% to about 100%, asdetermined using ASTM D6866-10, method B. In some particular examples,at least 8 or at least 9 or at least 10 of the 11 enumerated componentsof the absorbent article may comprise one or more polyolefins. In otherparticular examples, at least one, at least two, at least three, atleast four, or at least five of the 11 enumerated components thatcomprise one or more polyolefins may comprise a bio-based polyolefinwith a bio-based content from about 5% to about 100% using ASTMD6866-10, method B. In further particular examples, as described herein,at least one of the 11 enumerated components that comprises one or morepolyolefins may comprise a bio-based polyolefin with a bio-based contentfrom about 10% to about 100%, from about 25% to about 100%, from about40% to about 100%, from about 50% to about 100%, from about 75% to about100%, or from about 90% to about 100%, as determined using ASTMD6866-10, method B.

In all absorbent articles according to the present disclosure, thebio-based content of the superabsorbent polymers may comprise from about10% to about 100%, from about 25% to about 100%, from about 40% to about100%, from about 50% to about 100%, from about 75% to about 100%, orfrom about 90% to about 100%, and all ranges subsumed therein, asdetermined using ASTM D6866-10, method B as described herein. In someparticular examples, the superabsorbent polymers of the core absorbentmaterial may comprise a bio-based acrylic acid or may be polymerizedfrom bio-based acrylic acid, as described herein.

In all absorbent articles according to the present disclosure, the coreabsorbent material may comprise, based on the total weight of the coreabsorbent material, at least about 60% by weight or at least about 70%by weight or at least about 90% by weight of the superabsorbentpolymers. In some particular instances, the core absorbent material mayfurther comprise an absorbent pulp. In other particular instances, thecore absorbent material may be substantially free of the absorbent pulp.In all absorbent articles according to the present disclosure, a packagecomprising a plurality of the absorbent articles may have an In-BagStack Height of from about 70 mm to about 110 mm, according to theIn-Bag Stack Height Test described herein.

One or more of the components of the example absorbent articlesaccording to the present disclosure may be formed from one or morepolyolefins such that the absorbent articles comprise a polyolefincontent of at least about 90% by weight, based on a total weight of theabsorbent article excluding the core absorbent material, as describedherein. In some aspects, absorbent articles according to the presentdisclosure may comprise a polyolefin content of at least about 95% byweight, at least about 97% by weight, at least 98% by weight, or atleast about 99% by weight, based on a total weight of the absorbentarticle excluding the core absorbent material.

In some examples, polyolefins may include ethylene polymers (e.g., lowdensity polyethylene (“LDPE”), high density polyethylene (“HDPE”),linear low density polyethylene (“LLDPE”), etc., propylene homopolymers(e.g., syndiotactic, atactic, isotactic, etc.), ethylene copolymers,propylene copolymers, a blend or blends thereof, and so forth. In oneparticular example, the polymer may be a propylene polymer, such as homopolypropylene or a copolymer of propylene. The propylene polymer may,for instance, be formed from a substantially isotactic polypropylenehomopolymer or a copolymer containing equal to or less than about 10 wt.% of other monomers, i.e., at least about 90% by weight propylene. Suchhomopolymers may have a melting point of from about 140° C. to about170° C. The melting temperature may be determined using differentialscanning calorimetry (“DSC”) in accordance with ASTM D-3417.

In other examples, the polyolefin may be a copolymer of ethylene orpropylene with another alpha-olefin, such as a C3-C20 alpha-olefin orC3-C12 alpha-olefin. Specific examples of suitable alpha-olefins mayinclude 1-butene; 3-methyl-1-butene; 3,3-dimethyl-1-butene; 1-pentene; 1-pentene with one or more methyl, ethyl, or propyl substituents;1-hexene with one or more methyl, ethyl, or propyl substituents;1-heptene with one or more methyl, ethyl, or propyl substituents;1-octene with one or more methyl, ethyl, or propyl substituents;1-nonene with one or more methyl, ethyl, or propyl substituents; ethyl,methyl, or dimethyl-substituted 1-decene; 1-dodecene; and styrene.Particularly desired alpha-olefin comonomers are 1-butene, 1-hexene, and1-octene. The ethylene or propylene content of such copolymers may befrom about 60 mole % to about 99 mole %, in some examples from about 80mole % to about 98.5 mole %, and in some examples, from about 87 mole %to about 97.5 mole %. The alpha-olefin content may likewise range fromabout 1 mole % to about 40 mole %, in some examples from about 1.5 mole% to about 15 mole %, and in some examples, from about 2.5 mole % toabout 13 mole %.

Exemplary olefin copolymers for use in absorbent articles according tothe present disclosure may include ethylene-based copolymers availableunder the designation EXACT™ (ExxonMobil Chemical Company). Othersuitable ethylene copolymers are available under the designationENGAGE™, AFFINITY™, DOWLEX™ (LLDPE), and ATTANE™ (ULDPE) (Dow ChemicalCompany). Other suitable ethylene polymers are described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,937,299; 5,218,071; 5,272,236; and 5,278,272. Suitable propylenecopolymers are also commercially available under the designationsVISTAMAXX® (ExxonMobil); FINA™ (e.g., 8573; Atofina Chemicals); TAFMER™(Mitsui Petrochemical Industries); and VERSIFY™ (Dow). Suitablepolypropylene homopolymers may include PP3155™ and ACHIEVE™ resins(ExxonMobil); and Polypropylene M3661™ resin (Total Petrochemicals &Refining USA, Inc.). Other examples of suitable propylene polymers aredescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,500,563; 5,539,056; and 5,596,052.

Any of a variety of known techniques may generally be employed to formthe olefin copolymers. For instance, olefin polymers may be formed usinga free radical or a coordination catalyst (e.g., Ziegler-Natta). Theolefin polymer may be formed from a single-site coordination catalyst,such as a metallocene catalyst. Such a catalyst system produces ethylenecopolymers in which the comonomer is randomly distributed within amolecular chain and uniformly distributed across the different molecularweight fractions. Metallocene-catalyzed polyolefins are described, forinstance, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,571,619; 5,322,728; 5,472,775; 5,272,236;and 6,090,325. Examples of metallocene catalysts includebis(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,bis(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride,bis(cyclopentadienyl)scandium chloride, bis(indenyl)zirconiumdichloride, bis(methylcyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride,bis(methylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride, cobaltocene,cyclopentadienyttitanium trichloride, ferrocene, hafnocene dichloride,isopropyl(cyclopentadienyl,-1-flourenyl)zirconium dichloride,molybdocene dichloride, nickelocene, niobocene dichloride, ruthenocene,titanocene dichloride, zirconocene chloride hydride, zirconocenedichloride, and so forth. Polymers made using metallocene catalyststypically have a narrow molecular weight range. For instance,metallocene-catalyzed polymers may have polydispersity numbers (Mw/Mn)of below 4, controlled short chain branching distribution, andcontrolled isotacticity. Polyolefins are further discussed in U.S. Pat.Appl. Pub. Nos. 2016/0101208; 2016/0114071; 2016/0115291; 2016/0122484;and 2016/0130731.

In some instances, one or more of the components of the absorbentarticles according to the present disclosure may comprise a nonwoven webor material comprising one or more thermoplastic fibers formed from oneor more fiber-forming polyolefins. As used herein, the terms “nonwovenmaterial” or “nonwoven web” may refer to a material or web having astructure of individual fibers or threads that are interlaid, but not ina repeating pattern as in a woven or knitted fabric, which latter typesof fabric typically do not have randomly oriented or substantiallyrandomly oriented fibers. Nonwoven materials will have a machinedirection (MD) and a cross direction (CD) as is commonly known in theart of web manufacture. By “substantially randomly oriented” is meantthat, due to processing conditions of a precursor web, there may be ahigher amount of fibers oriented in the MD than the CD, or vice versa.For example, in spunbonding and meltblowing processes continuous strandsof fibers are deposited on a support moving in the MD. Despite attemptsto make the orientation of the fibers of the spunbond or meltblownnonwoven web truly “random”, usually a slightly higher percentage offibers are oriented in the MD as opposed to the CD.

The fibers may comprise unbonded fibers, entangled fibers, tow fibers,or the like. The fibers may be extensible and/or elastic, and may bepre-stretched for processing. The fibers of the nonwoven material may beformed using many known processes, such as, for example, air layingprocesses, wetlaid processes, meltblowing processes, spunbondingprocesses, and carding processes. The fibers in the nonwoven materialmay then be bonded via spunlacing processes, hydroentangling, calendarbonding, through-air bonding and resin bonding. Some of the nonwovenmaterials formed using these processes may have bond sites where thefibers are bonded together.

In other instances, one or more of the components of the absorbentarticles according to the present disclosure may comprise a polymericfilm comprising one or more thermoplastic materials such as polyolefins.Thermoplastic materials have properties that depend on their compositionand temperature. For example, a thermoplastic polymer exhibitsviscoelasticity when above its glass transition temperature (but belowthe melt temperature range) and may be extruded or cast as substantiallyplanar films. In addition, in this temperature range, thermoplasticpolymeric films may be formed as, or altered to, a non-planarconfiguration. In some particular examples, the polymeric film may bedeformable. As used herein, the term “deformable” may describe amaterial that, when stretched beyond its elastic limit, willsubstantially retain its newly formed conformation. Such deformablematerials may be chemically homogeneous or heterogeneous, such ashomopolymers and polymer blends, structurally homogeneous orheterogeneous, such as plain sheets or laminates, or any combination ofsuch materials. In other particular examples, the polymeric film may beelastomeric.

In some aspects of the present disclosure, one or more of the componentsof the absorbent articles according to the present disclosure maycomprise a single-layer film or a single-layer nonwoven materialcomprising one or more polyolefins. In other aspects, one or more of thecomponents of the absorbent articles according to the present disclosuremay comprise components that are a blend of fibers, a composite of twoor more webs, a laminate of two or more webs, and/or other combinationcomprising one or more polyolefins. In some examples, one or more of thecomponents of the absorbent articles may comprise a laminate with two ormore layers of film, two more layers of nonwoven materials, or one ormore layers each of a film and a nonwoven material joined together. Thelaminate may comprise, for example, a polymeric film that is bondeddirect to a layer of nonwoven material. The polymeric film may also beextruded directly onto the nonwoven material.

In other aspects, the nonwoven material may comprise a mixture of two ormore different fibers or a mixture of fibers and particles. Suchmixtures may be formed by, for example, adding fibers and/orparticulates to the gas stream in which the meltblown fibers or spunbondfibers are carried so that an intimate entangled co-mingling of fibersand other optional materials occurs prior to collection of the fibers.

In some aspects, at least one component of the absorbent articlesaccording to the present disclosure may comprise one or more bio-basedpolyolefins. In some particular aspects, absorbent articles with atleast one component comprising one or more bio-based polyolefins alsocomprise a core absorbent material with superabsorbent polymerscomprising a bio-based acrylic acid, as described herein. Bio-basedpolyolefins may be obtained by polymerizing olefins derived fromrenewable resources to yield polyolefins having desired characteristicsfor use in one or more components of an absorbent article. The resultingbio-based polyolefins may be high density, medium density, low density,or linear-low density. These methods may produce polyolefins of highpurity, i.e., a purity of about 98 weight % polyolefin or less than 2weight % impurities associated with the bio-sourcing process. While notwishing to be bound by theory, higher purity polyolefin is critical forachieving high performance materials properties and minimal undesirabletrace contaminants, as well as consumer acceptable performance by theabsorbent article. Bio-based polyolefins are further discussed in U.S.Pat. Appl. Pub. Nos. 2011/0139657; 2011/0139658; 2011/0152812; and2016/0206774 and U.S. Pat. No. 9,169,366.

The inventive combination of recycle friendly design, along withbio-based superabsorbent polymers, provides consumers and municipalitieswith the unexpected combined benefits of lowering the used absorbentarticle flow to the solid waste stream, creating a circular economy on atargeted high purity material, for example, polyolefins andsuperabsorbent polymers, and substitutes into absorbent articlessuperabsorbent polymers and polyolefins that are bio-based. While notwishing to be bound by theory, the inventive absorbent article designsdescribed herein may make recycling of used absorbent articles a viablefinancial proposition because of the high purity waste streams possiblefrom the recycling of the inventive absorbent articles, the lowercapital cost for a recycling plant, and less complex and lower operatingcost recycling operation. Further unexpectedly, the value of the higherpurity waste streams may be further increased as they may be bio-basedmaterials, which would potentially have more demand and command a higherprice than similar petrolatum derived materials. Exemplary bio-basedpolyolefins for use in the present invention include ethylene-basedpolymers available under the designations SHA7260™, SHE150™, SGM9450F™,SLL118™, SLL118/21™, SLL318™, SLH118™, SLH218™, SLH0820/30AF™,SBF0323HC™ SBF0323/12HC™, STN7006™, STS7006™, SEB853™, SEB853/72™,SPB681™, and SPB681/59™ (Braskem S.A.).

In some particular aspects, the bio-based content of a bio-basedpolyolefin for use in an absorbent article according to the presentdisclosure may be from about 5% to about 100%, as determined using ASTMD6866-10, method B. In other particular aspects, the bio-based contentof the bio-based polyolefin may be from about 10% to about 100%, fromabout 25% to about 100%, from about 40% to about 100%, from about 50% toabout 100%, from about 75% to about 100%, or from about 90% to about100% and all ranges subsumed therein, as determined using ASTM D6866-10,method B. In other particular aspects, as described herein, one or moreof the components of the absorbent article comprising one or morebio-based polyolefins may comprise a bio-based content of from about 5%to about 100%, from about 10% to about 100%, from about 25% to about100%, from about 40% to about 100%, from about 50% to about 100%, fromabout 75% to about 100%, or from about 90% to about 100% and all rangessubsumed therein, as determined using ASTM D6866-10, method B.Polyolefins comprising a desired bio-based content may be obtained, forexample, by mixing a conventional, i.e., petroleum-based, polyolefinwith a bio-based polyolefin. In another embodiment, polyolefinscomprising a desired bio-based content may be obtained, for example, bymixing a conventional, i.e., petroleum-based, polyolefin monomers withbio-based polyolefin monomers and then polymerizing the mixture.

One or more of the components of the absorbent articles according to thepresent disclosure may comprise, in addition to one or more polyolefins,one or more additional, optional materials, compounds, etc. (referred tocollectively herein as “optional additives”), such as inorganiccompounds, organic compounds, organic and inorganic fillers, pigments,dyes, antioxidants, UV-stabilizers, binders, surfactants, wettingagents, melt additives, incompatible polymers (e.g., polyester),miscible polymers, (different grades/types of polyolefins), dispersedpolymers, and the like to impart desired properties, such as hydrophilicor hydrophobic properties, opacity, color tinting, flexibility, or otherconsumer benefit. For example, a polymeric film or fiber may beimpregnated with an inorganic compound such as calcium carbonate,titanium dioxide, clays, silicas, zeolites, kaolin, mica, carbon, andmixtures thereof. Such compounds may serve as pore forming agents which,upon straining the film, may improve the breathability of the film.These additional materials and methods of use are described further inWO2016085711 and WO2016085709 and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,198,018;6,677,258; and 9,241,843 and U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. Nos. 2014/0378924;2015/0173958; 2016/0114071; and 2016/0130731.

As described herein, the absorbent articles according to the presentdisclosure may comprise one or more of a topsheet, a backsheetcomprising a backsheet film and a backsheet nonwoven web, a landingzone, a stretch or elastic ear film, a back ear nonwoven web, tape tabs,ear hooks, a front ear nonwoven web, a waist feature nonwoven web, waistfeature elastics, a barrier leg cuff nonwoven web, outer leg elastics,an acquisition material, a core cover nonwoven web, belt elastics, abelt nonwoven web, chassis adhesives, or core adhesives, one or more ofwhich may comprise one or more nonwoven materials or layers of nonwovenmaterial, one or more films or layers of film, and/or composites,laminates, and/or other combinations thereof.

Reference is now made to individual components of an example absorbentarticle according to the present disclosure. The topsheet 26, 114 of theabsorbent article may comprise a nonwoven topsheet, in which thenonwoven topsheet may comprise at least about 50% by weight ofpolyolefin. In some examples, the nonwoven topsheet may comprise atleast about 75% by weight of polyolefin, at least about 95% by weight ofpolyolefin, or at least about 100% by weight of polyolefin. If thenonwoven topsheet does not comprise about 100% by weight of polyolefin,it may also comprise one or more of the optional additives listed above.In other examples, the nonwoven topsheet may comprise a bio-basedpolyolefin, in which a bio-based content of the bio-based polyolefin maybe from about 5% to about 100%, as determined using ASTM D6866-10,method B. In further examples, the nonwoven topsheet may comprise abio-based polyolefin with a bio-based content from about 10% to about100%, from about 25% to about 100%, from about 40% to about 100%, fromabout 50% to about 100%, from about 75% to about 100%, or from about 90%to about 100%, and all ranges subsumed therein, as determined using ASTMD6866-10, method B. In some particular examples, the nonwoven topsheetcomprising at least about 50% by weight, at least about 75% by weight,or at least about 95% by weight of polyolefin may comprise a bio-basedpolyolefin with a bio-based content from about 5% to about 100% usingASTM D6866-10, method B. The nonwoven topsheet may be formed, forexample, from a single-layer nonwoven material as described herein. Insome instances, the nonwoven topsheet may comprise an apertured nonwovenmaterial. In other instances, the topsheet may comprise a laminate of anonwoven material and a polymeric film. For example, the topsheet maycomprise a laminate of apertured polyethylene film and a spunbondnonwoven material comprising polyethylene/polypropylene bicomponentfibers. In further instances, the topsheet may optionally comprise asecondary topsheet (not labeled), which may comprise higher gsm nonwovenpolyolefin material.

The backsheet 28, 116 of the absorbent article may be joined to thetopsheet. In some examples, the backsheet may comprise a bio-basedpolyolefin, in which a bio-based content of the bio-based polyolefin maybe from about 5% to about 100%, as determined using ASTM D6866-10,method B. In other examples, the backsheet may comprise a bio-basedpolyolefin with a bio-based content from about 10% to about 100%, fromabout 25% to about 100%, from about 40% to about 100%, from about 50% toabout 100%, from about 75% to about 100%, or from about 90% to about100%, and all ranges subsumed therein, as determined using ASTMD6866-10, method B.

In some instances, the backsheet 28, 116 may comprise a backsheet film,in which the backsheet film may comprise at least about 50% by weight ofpolyolefin. In some examples, the backsheet film may comprise at leastabout 75% by weight of polyolefin, at least about 95% by weight ofpolyolefin, or at least about 100% by weight of polyolefin. If thebacksheet film does not comprise about 100% by weight of polyolefin, itmay also comprise one or more of the optional additives listed above. Inother examples, the backsheet film may comprise a bio-based polyolefin,in which a bio-based content of the bio-based polyolefin may be fromabout 5% to about 100%, as determined using ASTM D6866-10, method B. Infurther examples, the backsheet film may comprise a bio-based polyolefinwith a bio-based content from about 10% to about 100%, from about 25% toabout 100%, from about 40% to about 100%, from about 50% to about 100%,from about 75% to about 100%, or from about 90% to about 100%, and allranges subsumed therein, as determined using ASTM D6866-10, method B. Insome particular examples, the backsheet film comprising at least about50% by weight, at least about 75% by weight, or at least about 95% byweight of polyolefin may comprise a bio-based polyolefin with abio-based content from about 5% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10,method B. The backsheet film may be formed, for example, from asingle-layer polymeric film as described herein. In some instances, thebacksheet film may comprise a liquid impervious polyethylene film. Inother instances, the backsheet may comprise one or more elastomericfilms manufactured under the tradename VISTAMAXX® (ExxonMobil). As oneparticular example, the backsheet film may comprise a 0.5 to 1.0 mil(0.0005 to 0.001 inch) thick VISTAMAXX® elastomeric polypropylene film.

In other instances, the backsheet 28, 116 may comprise a backsheetnonwoven web (also referred to as an outer cover material 40), in whichthe backsheet nonwoven web may comprise at least about 50% by weight ofpolyolefin. In some examples, the backsheet nonwoven web may comprise atleast about 75% by weight of polyolefin, at least about 95% by weight ofpolyolefin, or at least about 100% by weight of polyolefin. If thebacksheet nonwoven web does not comprise about 100% by weight ofpolyolefin, it may also comprise one or more of the optional additiveslisted above. In other examples, the backsheet nonwoven web may comprisea bio-based polyolefin, in which a bio-based content of the bio-basedpolyolefin may be from about 5% to about 100%, as determined using ASTMD6866-10, method B. In further examples, the backsheet nonwoven web maycomprise a bio-based polyolefin with a bio-based content from about 10%to about 100%, from about 25% to about 100%, from about 40% to about100%, from about 50% to about 100%, from about 75% to about 100%, orfrom about 90% to about 100%, and all ranges subsumed therein, asdetermined using ASTM D6866-10, method B. In some particular examples,the backsheet nonwoven web comprising at least about 50% by weight, atleast about 75% by weight, or at least about 95% by weight of polyolefinmay comprise a bio-based polyolefin with a bio-based content from about5% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B. The backsheet nonwovenweb may be formed, for example, from a single-layer nonwoven material asdescribed herein. The backsheet nonwoven web may comprise a soft,cloth-like material that is hydrophobic relative to the topsheet.

The absorbent article may further comprise a landing zone 44 formed froma nonwoven web or material or a laminate of a nonwoven material and apolymeric film, in which the landing zone comprises at least about 50%by weight of polyolefin. In some examples, the landing zone may compriseat least about 75% by weight of polyolefin, at least about 95% by weightof polyolefin, or at least about 100% by weight of polyolefin. If thelanding zone does not comprise about 100% by weight of polyolefin, itmay also comprise one or more of the optional additives listed above. Inother examples, the landing zone may comprise a bio-based polyolefin, inwhich a bio-based content of the bio-based polyolefin may be from about5% to about 100%, as determined using ASTM D6866-10, method B. Infurther examples, the landing zone may comprise a bio-based polyolefinwith a bio-based content from about 10% to about 100%, from about 25% toabout 100%, from about 40% to about 100%, from about 50% to about 100%,from about 75% to about 100%, or from about 90% to about 100%, and allranges subsumed therein, as determined using ASTM D6866-10, method B. Insome particular examples, the landing zone comprising at least about 50%by weight, at least about 75% by weight, or at least about 95% by weightof polyolefin may comprise a bio-based polyolefin with a bio-basedcontent from about 5% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B.

The absorbent article may further comprise one or more pairs of ears.The one or more pairs of ears may comprise back ears 42, which maycomprise a back ear nonwoven web, in which the back ear nonwoven web maycomprise at least about 50% by weight of polyolefin. In some examples,the back ear nonwoven web may comprise at least about 75% by weight ofpolyolefin, at least about 95% by weight of polyolefin, or at leastabout 100% by weight of polyolefin. If the back ear nonwoven web doesnot comprise about 100% by weight of polyolefin, it may also compriseone or more of the optional additives listed above. In other examples,the back ear nonwoven web may comprise a bio-based polyolefin, in whicha bio-based content of the bio-based polyolefin may be from about 5% toabout 100%, as determined using ASTM D6866-10, method B. In furtherexamples, the back ear nonwoven web may comprise a bio-based polyolefinwith a bio-based content from about 10% to about 100%, from about 25% toabout 100%, from about 40% to about 100%, from about 50% to about 100%,from about 75% to about 100%, or from about 90% to about 100%, and allranges subsumed therein, as determined using ASTM D6866-10, method B. Insome particular examples, the back ear nonwoven web comprising at leastabout 50% by weight, at least about 75% by weight, or at least about 95%by weight of polyolefin may comprise a bio-based polyolefin with abio-based content from about 5% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10,method B.

The one or more pairs of ears may comprise front ears 47, which maycomprise a front ear nonwoven web that is generally non-elastic. Thefront ear nonwoven web may comprise at least about 50% by weight ofpolyolefin. In some examples, the front ear nonwoven web may comprise atleast about 75% by weight of polyolefin, at least about 95% by weight ofpolyolefin, or at least about 100% by weight of polyolefin. If the frontear nonwoven web does not comprise about 100% by weight of polyolefin,it may also comprise one or more of the optional additives listed above.In other examples, the front ear nonwoven web may comprise a bio-basedpolyolefin, in which a bio-based content of the bio-based polyolefin maybe from about 5% to about 100%, as determined using ASTM D6866-10,method B. In further examples, the front ear nonwoven web may comprise abio-based polyolefin with a bio-based content from about 10% to about100%, from about 25% to about 100%, from about 40% to about 100%, fromabout 50% to about 100%, from about 75% to about 100%, or from about 90%to about 100%, and all ranges subsumed therein, as determined using ASTMD6866-10, method B. In some particular examples, the front ear nonwovenweb comprising at least about 50% by weight, at least about 75% byweight, or at least about 95% by weight of polyolefin may comprise abio-based polyolefin with a bio-based content from about 5% to about100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B.

One or more of the pairs of ears, e.g., the back ears 42, may comprise astretch or elastic ear film or elastic strands, in which the stretch orelastic ear film or strands may comprise at least about 50% by weight ofpolyolefin. In some examples, the stretch or elastic ear film or strandsmay comprise at least about 75% by weight of polyolefin, at least about95% by weight of polyolefin, or at least about 100% by weight ofpolyolefin. If the stretch or elastic ear film or strands does notcomprise about 100% by weight of polyolefin, it may also comprise one ormore of the optional additives listed above. In other examples, thestretch or elastic ear film or strands may comprise a bio-basedpolyolefin, in which a bio-based content of the bio-based polyolefin maybe from about 5% to about 100%, as determined using ASTM D6866-10,method B. In further examples, the stretch or elastic ear film orstrands may comprise a bio-based polyolefin with a bio-based contentfrom about 10% to about 100%, from about 25% to about 100%, from about40% to about 100%, from about 50% to about 100%, from about 75% to about100%, or from about 90% to about 100%, and all ranges subsumed therein,as determined using ASTM D6866-10, method B. In some particularexamples, the stretch or elastic ear film or strands comprising at leastabout 50% by weight, at least about 75% by weight, or at least about 95%by weight of polyolefin may comprise a bio-based polyolefin with abio-based content from about 5% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10,method B.

One or more of the pairs of ears, e.g., the back ears 42, may compriseear hooks, e.g., fasteners 46, in which the ear hooks may comprise atleast about 50% by weight of polyolefin. In some examples, the ear hooksmay comprise at least about 75% by weight of polyolefin, at least about95% by weight of polyolefin, or at least about 100% by weight ofpolyolefin. If the ear hooks do not comprise about 100% by weight ofpolyolefin, they may also comprise one or more of the optional additiveslisted above. In other examples, the ear hooks may comprise a bio-basedpolyolefin, in which a bio-based content of the bio-based polyolefin maybe from about 5% to about 100%, as determined using ASTM D6866-10,method B. In further examples, the ear hooks may comprise a bio-basedpolyolefin with a bio-based content from about 10% to about 100%, fromabout 25% to about 100%, from about 40% to about 100%, from about 50% toabout 100%, from about 75% to about 100%, or from about 90% to about100%, and all ranges subsumed therein, as determined using ASTMD6866-10, method B. In some particular examples, the ear hookscomprising at least about 50% by weight, at least about 75% by weight,or at least about 95% by weight of polyolefin may comprise a bio-basedpolyolefin with a bio-based content from about 5% to about 100% usingASTM D6866-10, method B. The ear hooks may be formed from a polymercomprising one or more polyolefins and may be configured to engage andlock with a plurality of loops located, for example, on the landingzone.

One of more of the pairs of ears, e.g., the back ears 42, may comprisetape tabs 43, in which the tape tabs 43 may comprise at least about 50%by weight of polyolefin. In some examples, the tape tabs 43 may compriseat least about 75% by weight of polyolefin, at least about 95% by weightof polyolefin, or at least about 100% by weight of polyolefin. If thetape tabs 43 do not comprise about 100% by weight of polyolefin, theymay also comprise one or more of the optional additives listed above. Inother examples, the tape tabs may comprise a bio-based polyolefin, inwhich a bio-based content of the bio-based polyolefin may be from about5% to about 100%, as determined using ASTM D6866-10, method B. Infurther examples, the tape tabs may comprise a bio-based polyolefin witha bio-based content from about 10% to about 100%, from about 25% toabout 100%, from about 40% to about 100%, from about 50% to about 100%,from about 75% to about 100%, or from about 90% to about 100%, and allranges subsumed therein, as determined using ASTM D6866-10, method B. Insome particular examples, the tape tabs comprising at least about 50% byweight, at least about 75% by weight, or at least about 95% by weight ofpolyolefin may comprise a bio-based polyolefin with a bio-based contentfrom about 5% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B.

The absorbent article may further comprise one or more waistbands, e.g.,elastic waistbands 36, which may comprise a waist feature nonwoven webcomprising one or more layers of nonwoven web. The one or more layers ofnonwoven web may comprise at least about 50% by weight of polyolefin. Insome examples, the one or more layers of nonwoven web may comprise atleast about 75% by weight of polyolefin, at least about 95% by weight ofpolyolefin, or at least about 100% by weight of polyolefin. If the oneor more layers of nonwoven web do not comprise about 100% by weight ofpolyolefin, it may also comprise one or more of the optional additiveslisted above. In other examples, the one or more layers of nonwoven webmay comprise a bio-based polyolefin, in which a bio-based content of thebio-based polyolefin may be from about 5% to about 100%, as determinedusing ASTM D6866-10, method B. In further examples, the one or morelayers of nonwoven web may comprise a bio-based polyolefin with abio-based content from about 10% to about 100%, from about 25% to about100%, from about 40% to about 100%, from about 50% to about 100%, fromabout 75% to about 100%, or from about 90% to about 100%, and all rangessubsumed therein, as determined using ASTM D6866-10, method B. In someparticular examples, the one or more layers of nonwoven web comprisingat least about 50% by weight, at least about 75% by weight, or at leastabout 95% by weight of polyolefin may comprise a bio-based polyolefinwith a bio-based content from about 5% to about 100% using ASTMD6866-10, method B.

In some examples, the waistband(s) may further comprise waist featureelastics, such as an elastic film or elastic strands, in which the waistfeature elastics may comprise at least about 50% by weight ofpolyolefin. In some particular examples, the waist feature elastics maycomprise at least about 75% by weight of polyolefin, at least about 95%by weight of polyolefin, or at least about 100% by weight of polyolefin.If the waist feature elastics do not comprise about 100% by weight ofpolyolefin, they may also comprise one or more of the optional additiveslisted above. In some examples, the waist feature elastics may comprisea bio-based polyolefin, in which a bio-based content of the bio-basedpolyolefin may be from about 5% to about 100%, as determined using ASTMD6866-10, method B. In further examples, the waist feature elastics maycomprise a bio-based polyolefin with a bio-based content from about 10%to about 100%, from about 25% to about 100%, from about 40% to about100%, from about 50% to about 100%, from about 75% to about 100%, orfrom about 90% to about 100%, and all ranges subsumed therein, asdetermined using ASTM D6866-10, method B. In some particular examples,the waist feature elastics comprising at least about 50% by weight, atleast about 75% by weight, or at least about 95% by weight of polyolefinmay comprise a bio-based polyolefin with a bio-based content from about5% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B.

The absorbent article may further comprise one or more belts, e.g.,front and back belts 54, 56, each of which may comprise a belt nonwovenweb comprising one or more layers of nonwoven web. The one or morelayers of nonwoven web may comprise at least about 50% by weight ofpolyolefin. In some examples, the one or more layers of nonwoven web maycomprise at least about 75% by weight of polyolefin, at least about 95%by weight of polyolefin, or at least about 100% by weight of polyolefin.If the one or more layers of nonwoven web do not comprise about 100% byweight of polyolefin, it may also comprise one or more of the optionaladditives listed above. In other examples, the one or more layers ofnonwoven web may comprise a bio-based polyolefin, in which a bio-basedcontent of the bio-based polyolefin may be from about 5% to about 100%,as determined using ASTM D6866-10, method B. In further examples, theone or more layers of nonwoven web may comprise a bio-based polyolefinwith a bio-based content from about 10% to about 100%, from about 25% toabout 100%, from about 40% to about 100%, from about 50% to about 100%,from about 75% to about 100%, or from about 90% to about 100%, and allranges subsumed therein, as determined using ASTM D6866-10, method B. Insome particular examples, the one or more layers of nonwoven webcomprising at least about 50% by weight, at least about 75% by weight,or at least about 95% by weight of polyolefin may comprise a bio-basedpolyolefin with a bio-based content from about 5% to about 100% usingASTM D6866-10, method B.

In some examples, the one or more belts 54, 56 may also comprise beltelastics, e.g., elastic strands 68 or a film, in which the belt elasticsmay comprise at least about 50% by weight of polyolefin. In someparticular examples, the belt elastics may comprise at least about 75%by weight of polyolefin, at least about 95% by weight of polyolefin, orat least about 100% by weight of polyolefin. If the belt elastics do notcomprise about 100% by weight of polyolefin, they may also comprise oneor more of the optional additives listed above. In other examples, thebelt elastics may comprise a bio-based polyolefin, in which a bio-basedcontent of the bio-based polyolefin may be from about 5% to about 100%,as determined using ASTM D6866-10, method B. In further examples, thebelt elastics may comprise a bio-based polyolefin with a bio-basedcontent from about 10% to about 100%, from about 25% to about 100%, fromabout 40% to about 100%, from about 50% to about 100%, from about 75% toabout 100%, or from about 90% to about 100%, and all ranges subsumedtherein, as determined using ASTM D6866-10, method B. In some particularexamples, the belt elastics comprising at least about 50% by weight, atleast about 75% by weight, or at least about 95% by weight of polyolefinmay comprise a bio-based polyolefin with a bio-based content from about5% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B.

The absorbent article may further comprise one or more pairs of barrierleg cuffs 32, which may comprise a barrier leg cuff nonwoven web and oneor more elastics 33, e.g., elastic strands or strips. The barrier legcuff nonwoven web may comprise at least about 50% by weight ofpolyolefin. In some examples, the barrier leg cuff nonwoven web maycomprise at least about 75% by weight of polyolefin, at least about 95%by weight of polyolefin, or at least about 100% by weight of polyolefin.If the barrier leg cuff nonwoven web does not comprise about 100% byweight of polyolefin, it may also comprise one or more of the optionaladditives listed above. In other examples, the barrier leg cuff nonwovenweb may comprise a bio-based polyolefin, in which a bio-based content ofthe bio-based polyolefin may be from about 5% to about 100%, asdetermined using ASTM D6866-10, method B. In further examples, thebarrier leg cuff nonwoven web may comprise a bio-based polyolefin with abio-based content from about 10% to about 100%, from about 25% to about100%, from about 40% to about 100%, from about 50% to about 100%, fromabout 75% to about 100%, or from about 90% to about 100%, and all rangessubsumed therein, as determined using ASTM D6866-10, method B. In someparticular examples, the barrier leg cuffs comprising at least about 50%by weight, at least about 75% by weight, or at least about 95% by weightof polyolefin may comprise a bio-based polyolefin with a bio-basedcontent from about 5% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B.

The barrier leg cuff elastics 33 may comprise at least about 50% byweight of polyolefin. In some examples, the barrier leg cuff elasticsmay comprise at least about 75% by weight of polyolefin, at least about95% by weight of polyolefin, or at least about 100% by weight ofpolyolefin. If the barrier leg cuff elastics do not comprise about 100%by weight of polyolefin, they may also comprise one or more of theoptional additives listed above. In other examples, the barrier leg cuffelastics may comprise a bio-based polyolefin, in which a bio-basedcontent of the bio-based polyolefin may be from about 5% to about 100%,as determined using ASTM D6866-10, method B. In further examples, thebarrier leg cuff elastics may comprise a bio-based polyolefin with abio-based content from about 10% to about 100%, from about 25% to about100%, from about 40% to about 100%, from about 50% to about 100%, fromabout 75% to about 100%, or from about 90% to about 100%, and all rangessubsumed therein, as determined using ASTM D6866-10, method B. In someparticular examples, the barrier leg cuff elastics comprising at leastabout 50% by weight, at least about 75% by weight, or at least about 95%by weight of polyolefin may comprise a bio-based polyolefin with abio-based content from about 5% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10,method B.

The absorbent article may further comprise outer leg elastics 34, inwhich the outer leg elastics 34 may comprise at least about 50% byweight of polyolefin. In some examples, the outer leg elastics maycomprise at least about 75% by weight of polyolefin, at least about 95%by weight of polyolefin, or at least about 100% by weight of polyolefin.If the outer leg elastics do not comprise about 100% by weight ofpolyolefin, they may also comprise one or more of the optional additiveslisted above. In other examples, the outer leg elastics may comprise abio-based polyolefin, in which a bio-based content of the bio-basedpolyolefin may be from about 5% to about 100%, as determined using ASTMD6866-10, method B. In further examples, the outer leg elastics maycomprise a bio-based polyolefin with a bio-based content from about 10%to about 100%, from about 25% to about 100%, from about 40% to about100%, from about 50% to about 100%, from about 75% to about 100%, orfrom about 90% to about 100%, and all ranges subsumed therein, asdetermined using ASTM D6866-10, method B. In some particular examples,the outer leg elastics comprising at least about 50% by weight, at leastabout 75% by weight, or at least about 95% by weight of polyolefin maycomprise a bio-based polyolefin with a bio-based content from about 5%to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B.

Additional examples of nonwoven materials, films, and elastic materialsfor forming the waistband(s), belt(s), barrier leg cuffs, and/or outerleg elastics of an absorbent article according to the present disclosureare discussed in U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. Nos. 2016/0074250 and2016/0136014.

The absorbent article may further comprise one or more acquisitionmaterials 38, in which the acquisition material may comprise at leastabout 50% by weight of polyolefin. In some examples, the acquisitionmaterial may comprise at least about 75% by weight of polyolefin, atleast about 95% by weight of polyolefin, or at least about 100% byweight of polyolefin. If the acquisition material does not compriseabout 100% by weight of polyolefin, it may also comprise one or more ofthe optional additives listed above. In other examples, the acquisitionmaterial may comprise a bio-based polyolefin, in which a bio-basedcontent of the bio-based polyolefin may be from about 5% to about 100%,as determined using ASTM D6866-10, method B. In further examples, theacquisition material may comprise a bio-based polyolefin with abio-based content from about 10% to about 100%, from about 25% to about100%, from about 40% to about 100%, from about 50% to about 100%, fromabout 75% to about 100%, or from about 90% to about 100%, and all rangessubsumed therein, as determined using ASTM D6866-10, method B. In someparticular examples, the acquisition material comprising at least about50% by weight, at least about 75% by weight, or at least about 95% byweight of polyolefin may comprise a bio-based polyolefin with abio-based content from about 5% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10,method B. The acquisition material may comprise, for example, polyolefinfibers or filaments or a polyolefinic nonwoven material with a suitablebinder. In some instances, the absorbent article may comprise anacquisition material that is positioned intermediate the topsheet andthe absorbent core, in which the absorbent core is positionedintermediate the acquisition material and the backsheet. Additionalexamples of materials for forming the acquisition material of anabsorbent article according to the present disclosure are discussed inU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,304,161 and 5,439,458.

The absorbent core may comprise a core cover, e.g., the core wrap 74,that comprises a core cover nonwoven web, in which the core covernonwoven web may comprise at least about 50% by weight of polyolefin. Insome examples, the core cover nonwoven web may comprise at least about75% by weight of polyolefin, at least about 95% by weight of polyolefin,or at least about 100% by weight of polyolefin. If the core cover doesnot comprise about 100% by weight of polyolefin, it may also compriseone or more of the optional additives listed above. In other examples,the core cover may comprise a bio-based polyolefin, in which a bio-basedcontent of the bio-based polyolefin may be from about 5% to about 100%,as determined using ASTM D6866-10, method B. In further examples, thecore cover may comprise a bio-based polyolefin with a bio-based contentfrom about 10% to about 100%, from about 25% to about 100%, from about40% to about 100%, from about 50% to about 100%, from about 75% to about100%, or from about 90% to about 100%, and all ranges subsumed therein,as determined using ASTM D6866-10, method B. In some particularexamples, the core cover comprising at least about 50% by weight, atleast about 75% by weight, or at least about 95% by weight of polyolefinmay comprise a bio-based polyolefin with a bio-based content from about5% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B. Additional examples ofnonwoven materials for forming the core cover of an absorbent articleaccording to the present disclosure are discussed in U.S. Pat. No.8,785,716.

The absorbent article may comprise one or more glues or adhesives thatmay be used to join one or more of the components of the absorbentarticle. The adhesives may optionally be used between the layers of alaminate to increase the bond strength between the laminate materials.In some aspects, the one or more adhesives may comprise chassisadhesives that may be used to join: the topsheet 26, 114 to one or moreof the acquisition material 38, the absorbent core 30, the backsheet 28,116 (i.e., the backsheet film), the barrier leg cuffs 32, or the outerleg elastics 34; the barrier leg cuff elastics 33 to the barrier legcuff nonwoven web; the backsheet 28, 116 to one or more of the topsheet26, 114, the outer cover material 40, or the absorbent core 30; the oneor more elastic waistbands 36 to the topsheet 26, 114; the front andback ears 47, 42 to one of the topsheet 26, 114, the backsheet 28, 116,or the outer cover material 40; the back ear nonwoven web(s) and thestretch or elastic ear film or strands; and/or the landing zone 44 tothe outer cover material 40. In some examples, the barrier leg cuffnonwoven web may be bonded via one or more chassis adhesives to theabsorbent article 10, e.g., the topsheet, so that the barrier leg cuffs32 extend upwards from the wearer-facing surface 4 of the absorbentarticle 10. In some particular aspects, one or more chassis adhesivesmay be used to join the chassis 52 to a wearer-facing surface 4 of thefront and back belts 54, 56 or to a garment-facing surface 2 of thebelts 54, 56. In other aspects, the one or more adhesives of theabsorbent article may comprise core adhesives that may be used, forexample, to immobilize the superabsorbent polymer particles within thecore wrap 74.

In some examples, the chassis and/or core adhesives may comprise atleast about 50% by weight of polyolefin. In some particular examples,the chassis and/or core adhesives may comprise at least about 75% byweight of polyolefin, at least about 95% by weight of polyolefin, or atleast about 100% by weight of polyolefin. If the chassis and/or coreadhesives do not comprise about 100% by weight of polyolefin, they mayalso comprise one or more of the optional additives listed above or anyof the additives set out in U.S. Pat. No. 9,241,843 and U.S. Pat. Appl.Pub. Nos. 2014/0378924 and 2015/0173958. In other examples, the chassisand/or core adhesives may comprise a bio-based polyolefin, in which abio-based content of the bio-based polyolefin may be from about 5% toabout 100%, as determined using ASTM D6866-10, method B. In furtherexamples, the chassis and/or core adhesives may comprise a bio-basedpolyolefin with a bio-based content from about 10% to about 100%, fromabout 25% to about 100%, from about 40% to about 100%, from about 50% toabout 100%, from about 75% to about 100%, or from about 90% to about100%, and all ranges subsumed therein, as determined using ASTMD6866-10, method B. In some particular examples, the chassis and/or coreadhesives comprising at least about 50% by weight, at least about 75% byweight, or at least about 95% by weight of polyolefin may comprise abio-based polyolefin with a bio-based content from about 5% to about100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B.

In addition to or in place of the core and/or chassis adhesives, thecomponents and/or layers of the absorbent articles according to thepresent disclosure may be joined together by other non-adhesiveattachment methods known to those of skill in the art. For example, thecomponents and/or layers of the absorbent article may be joined by oneor more of pressure bonding, heat bonding, ultrasonic bonding, orembossing.

Recycling of Absorbent Articles Comprising Recyclable Materials

Following use, absorbent articles comprising one or more recyclablematerials according to the present disclosure may be prepared forrecycling using one or more known methods. Exemplary methods fortreatment of absorbent articles for recycling are described in, forexample, U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,883,076; 8,979,005; 9,095,853; and 9,156,034.These exemplary methods may be used, for example, to open foldedabsorbent articles and to dry, sterilize, and at least partiallydestructure the absorbent articles.

In accordance with the present disclosure, an absorbent articlecomprising a topsheet, a backsheet joined to the topsheet, and anabsorbent core comprising a core absorbent material may comprise apolyolefin content of at least about 90% by weight, based on a totalweight of the absorbent article excluding the core absorbent material.In another example, in an absorbent article comprising 17 enumeratedcomponents as discussed above, at least 13 of the 17 enumeratedcomponents may comprise polyolefins, and in some particular examples, atleast 14 or at least 15 or at least 16 of the 17 enumerated componentsof the absorbent article may comprise polyolefins. In a further example,in an absorbent article comprising 11 enumerated components as discussedabove, at least 7 of the 11 enumerated components may comprisepolyolefins, and in some particular examples, at least 8 or at least 9or at least 10 of the 11 enumerated components of the absorbent articlemay comprise polyolefins.

Hence, the absorbent articles according to the present disclosureprimarily comprise two materials: polyolefins and an absorbent corematerial. Used absorbent articles according to the present disclosuremay be recycled. Because the absorbent articles according to the presentdisclosure primarily comprise only two materials, it is believed thatrecycling processes for recycling the used absorbent articles can besimplified and made more efficient as the number of different materialsthat must be separated from one another is minimized. For example,absorbent articles according to the present disclosure may be separatedinto two components, e.g., polyolefin plastic scrap and the absorbentcore material (e.g., the superabsorbent polymers), using one or morerecycling operations as described above, in which each component is ofhigh purity.

REPRESENTATIVE EXAMPLES

It is believed that an example absorbent article according to thepresent disclosure may comprise the following 17 enumerated components:(1) a topsheet; (2) a backsheet film; (3) a backsheet nonwoven web; (4)a landing zone; (5) a stretch ear film; (6) a back ear nonwoven web; (7)tape tabs; (8) ear hooks; (9) a front ear nonwoven web; (10) a waistfeature nonwoven web; (11) waist feature elastics; (12) a barrier legcuff nonwoven web; (13) outer leg elastics; (14) an acquisitionmaterial; (15) a core cover nonwoven web; (16) chassis adhesives; and(17) core adhesives.

In one particular example, it is believed that an absorbent article maycomprise the same 17 enumerated components, in which at least 13 of the17 enumerated components of the absorbent article comprise one or morepolyolefins. For example, the topsheet, the backsheet film, thebacksheet nonwoven web, the landing zone, the stretch ear film, the backear nonwoven web, the tape tabs, the ear hooks, the front ear nonwovenweb, the waist feature nonwoven web, the barrier leg cuff nonwoven web,the acquisition material, and the core cover nonwoven web may compriseone or more polyolefins.

In another particular example, it is believed that an absorbent articlemay comprise the same 17 enumerated components, wherein at least 14 ofthe 17 enumerated components of the absorbent article comprise one ormore polyolefins. For example, the topsheet, the backsheet film, thebacksheet nonwoven web, the landing zone, the stretch ear film, the backear nonwoven web, the tape tabs, the ear hooks, the front ear nonwovenweb, the waist feature nonwoven web, the barrier leg cuff nonwoven web,the acquisition material, the core cover nonwoven web, and the coreadhesives may comprise one or more polyolefins.

In yet another particular example, it is believed that an absorbentarticle may comprise the same 17 enumerated components, wherein at least15 of the 17 enumerated components of the absorbent article comprise oneor more polyolefins. For example, the topsheet, the backsheet film, thebacksheet nonwoven web, the landing zone, the stretch ear film, the backear nonwoven web, the tape tabs, the ear hooks, the front ear nonwovenweb, the waist feature nonwoven web, the barrier leg cuff nonwoven web,the acquisition material, the core cover nonwoven web, the coreadhesives, and the chassis adhesives may comprise one or morepolyolefins.

In yet another particular example, it is believed that an absorbentarticle may comprise the same 17 enumerated components, wherein at least16 of the 17 enumerated components of the absorbent article comprise oneor more polyolefins. For example, the topsheet, the backsheet film, thebacksheet nonwoven web, the landing zone, the stretch ear film, the backear nonwoven web, the tape tabs, the ear hooks, the front ear nonwovenweb, the waist feature nonwoven web, the barrier leg cuff nonwoven web,the acquisition material, the core cover nonwoven web, the coreadhesives, the chassis adhesives, and the outer leg elastics maycomprise one or more polyolefins.

It is believed that another example absorbent article according to thepresent disclosure may comprise the following 11 enumerated components:(1) a topsheet; (2) a backsheet film; (3) a backsheet nonwoven web; (4)belt elastics; (5) a belt nonwoven web; (6) chassis adhesives; (7) abarrier leg cuff nonwoven web; (8) outer leg elastics; (9) anacquisition material; (10) a core cover nonwoven web; and (11) coreadhesives. This example absorbent article may be in the form of a pantas described herein.

In one particular example, it is believed that an absorbent article maycomprise the same 11 enumerated components, and wherein at least 7 ofthe 11 enumerated components of the absorbent article comprise one ormore polyolefins. For example, the topsheet, the backsheet film, thebacksheet nonwoven web, the belt nonwoven web, the barrier leg cuffnonwoven web, the acquisition material, and the core cover nonwoven webmay comprise one or more polyolefins.

In another particular example, it is believed that an absorbent articlemay comprise the same 11 enumerated components, and wherein at least 8of the 11 enumerated components of the absorbent article comprise one ormore polyolefins. For example, the topsheet, the backsheet film, thebacksheet nonwoven web, the belt nonwoven web, the barrier leg cuffnonwoven web, the acquisition material, the core cover nonwoven web, andthe chassis adhesives may comprise one or more polyolefins.

In yet another particular example, it is believed that an absorbentarticle may comprise the same 11 enumerated components, and wherein atleast 9 of the 11 enumerated components of the absorbent articlecomprise one or more polyolefins. For example, the topsheet, thebacksheet film, the backsheet nonwoven web, the belt nonwoven web, thebarrier leg cuff nonwoven web, the acquisition material, the core covernonwoven web, the chassis adhesives, and the core adhesives may compriseone or more polyolefins.

In yet another particular example, it is believed that an absorbentarticle may comprise the same 11 enumerated components, and wherein atleast 10 of the 11 enumerated components of the absorbent articlecomprise one or more polyolefins. For example, the topsheet, thebacksheet film, the backsheet nonwoven web, the belt nonwoven web, thebarrier leg cuff nonwoven web, the acquisition material, the core covernonwoven web, the chassis adhesives, the core adhesives, and the outerleg elastics may comprise one or more polyolefins.

It is believed that one or more of the enumerated components of any ofthese example absorbent articles that comprise one or more polyolefinsmay comprise at least about 50% by weight of polyolefin. In otherexamples, it is believed that one or more of the components of theseexample absorbent articles that comprise one or more polyolefins maycomprise at least about 75% by weight of polyolefin. In furtherparticular examples, it is believed that one or more of the componentsof these example absorbent articles that comprise one or morepolyolefins may comprise at least about 95% by weight of polyolefin.These example absorbent articles may be disposable.

It is believed that all of these example absorbent articles may comprisea structure in which the topsheet is joined to a backsheet defined bythe backsheet film and the backsheet nonwoven web; the core covernonwoven web and a core absorbent material are positioned intermediatethe topsheet and the backsheet; and the core absorbent materialcomprises superabsorbent polymers with a bio-based content from about 5%to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B. It is believed that thecore absorbent material in all of these example absorbent articles maycomprise superabsorbent polymers with a bio-based content from about 10%to about 100%, from about 25% to about 100%, from about 40% to about100%, from about 50% to about 100%, from about 75% to about 100%, fromabout 90% to about 100%, and all ranges subsumed therein, using ASTMD6866-10, method B.

In further aspects, it is believed that at least one of the enumeratedcomponents of any of these example absorbent articles that comprises oneor more polyolefins may comprise a bio-based polyolefin with a bio-basedcontent from about 5% to about 100%, as determined using ASTM D6866-10,method B. In yet further aspects, it is believed that at least one ofthe enumerated components of any of these example absorbent articlesthat comprises one or more polyolefins may comprise a bio-basedpolyolefin with a bio-based content from about 10% to about 100%, fromabout 25% to about 100%, from about 40% to about 100%, from about 50% toabout 100%, from about 75% to about 100%, from about 90% to about 100%,and all ranges subsumed therein, using ASTM D6866-10, method B.

Test Methods Method to Evaluate the Olefin Content of an AbsorbentArticle

This method may be used to determine: (1) the olefin content of anindividual component harvested from an absorbent article; and (2) theoverall olefin content of an absorbent article comprising the individualharvested components.

The absorbent article is to be deconstructed, removing the corematerials, and separating each of the other structures into distinctiveindividual components. The components are weighed and analyzed using thefollowing standard methods: (1) Differential Scanning calorimetry (DSC)(ASTM D3418.21296); and (2) FT (Fourier transformed) InfraredSpectroscopy with ATR (Attenuated total reflection) (ASTM E1252.29254).

Unless otherwise specified, all tests described herein, including thosedescribed in the detailed description, are conducted on samples thathave been conditioned in a conditioned room at a temperature of 73°F.±2° F. (23° C.±1° C.) and a relative humidity of 50% (±2%) for 2 hoursprior to the test. All tests are conducted in such conditioned room(s).

Sample Preparation

The absorbent article is deconstructed into the individual components,and residual adhesive on each component is removed via dissolution inany suitable solvent, for example, Tetrahydrofuran (THF)—Stabilized(HPLC Grade). The components are air-dried for 30 minutes to removetraces of solvent. The weight of each individual component is recordedin gram (g) to the nearest 0.01 g. The steps in harvesting thecomponents are shown below:

Procedure

1. Obtain a 3-4 liter beaker;

2. Obtain one 4 liter bottle of solvent;

3. In a hood, transfer 1 liter of solvent into the 3-4 liter beaker;

4. Apply C-clamps to the top and bottom of the absorbent article;

5. Take one absorbent article and submerge in the 1 liter of solvent;

6. Place beaker on shaking table and stir gently for 15 minutes;

7. Let solution with the absorbent article sit for 5 additional minutes;

8. Take the absorbent article out of solvent solution;

9. Carefully squeeze solvent solution out of the absorbent article;

10. Place the absorbent article on a glass dish (topsheet side up);

11. Carefully dissemble product, take note of the order of thecomponents;

12. Place components on racks in hood and insure correct ID ofcomponents;

13. Let components air dry in hood for a minimum of 15 minutes;

14. Once components are completely dry, proceed with dimensionalanalysis; and

15. Record the weight and the physical dimensions of each of theindividual materials.

Sampling For the DSC from each component a sample is cut not exceeding 3mm in diameter. For the

ATR FT IR a sample sufficient in size to cover the IR crystal is cut.

Analysis

Each component is then analyzed by Differential Scanning calorimetry(ASTM D3418.21296) and FT (Fourier transformed) Infrared Spectroscopywith ATR (Attenuated total reflection) (ASTM E1252.29254). The resultingthermograms and FTIR spectra are evaluated to determine the percentageof the component specimen consistent with an olefin. The comparison ofthe melting peak area of the second heat in the DSC will provide theratio of olefin to non-olefinic material in the individual component.

Result

The percentage olefin content of each individual component of theabsorbent article multiplied by its mass are combined and then dividedby the total weight of the article minus the weight of the absorbentmaterial to yield the overall olefin percentage of the article. Theindividual components olefin percentage and the overall olefinpercentage is reported to the nearest 1%.

The In-Bag Stack Height of a Package of Articles:

A thickness tester with a flat, rigid horizontal sliding plate is used.The thickness tester is configured so that the horizontal sliding platemoves freely in a vertical direction with the horizontal sliding platealways maintained in a horizontal orientation directly above a flat,rigid horizontal base plate. The thickness tester includes a suitabledevice for measuring the gap between the horizontal sliding plate andthe horizontal base plate to within ±0.5 mm. The horizontal slidingplate and the horizontal base plate are larger than the surface of theabsorbent article package that contacts each plate, i.e., each plateextends past the contact surface of the absorbent article package in alldirections. The horizontal sliding plate exerts a downward force of850±1 gram-force (8.34 N) on the absorbent article package, which may beachieved by placing a suitable weight on the center of thenon-package-contacting top surface of the horizontal sliding plate sothat the total mass of the sliding plate plus added weight is 850±1grams.

Absorbent article packages are equilibrated at 23±2° C. and 50±5%relative humidity prior to measurement.

The horizontal sliding plate is raised and an absorbent article packageis placed centrally under the horizontal sliding plate in such a waythat the absorbent articles within the package are in a horizontalorientation (see FIG. 16). Any handle or other packaging feature on thesurfaces of the package that would contact either of the plates isfolded flat against the surface of the package so as to minimize theirimpact on the measurement. The horizontal sliding plate is loweredslowly until it contacts the top surface of the package and thenreleased. The gap between the horizontal plates is measured to within±0.5 mm ten seconds after releasing the horizontal sliding plate. Fiveidentical packages (same size packages and same absorbent articlescounts) are measured and the arithmetic mean is reported as the packagewidth. The “In-Bag Stack Height”=(package width/absorbent article countper stack)×10 is calculated and reported to within ±0.5 mm.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation ofany document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect toany invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in anycombination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests ordiscloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning ordefinition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shallgovern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An absorbent article comprising: a topsheet; abacksheet joined to the topsheet and comprising one or more of abacksheet film or a backsheet nonwoven web; an absorbent core positionedintermediate the topsheet and the backsheet, the absorbent corecomprising a core absorbent material; and one or more of a landing zone,a stretch ear film, a back ear nonwoven web, tape tabs, ear hooks, afront ear nonwoven web, a waist feature nonwoven web, waist featureelastics, a barrier leg cuff nonwoven web, outer leg elastics, anacquisition material, a core cover nonwoven web, chassis adhesives, orcore adhesives; wherein the core absorbent material comprisessuperabsorbent polymers with a bio-based content from about 5% to about100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B; wherein the absorbent core comprisesone or a plurality of channels; wherein the absorbent article comprisesa wetness indicator; and wherein at least one of the topsheet or thebacksheet and at least one of the backsheet film, the backsheet nonwovenweb, the landing zone, the stretch ear film, the back ear nonwoven web,the tape tabs, the ear hooks, the front ear nonwoven web, the waistfeature nonwoven web, the waist feature elastics, the barrier leg cuffnonwoven web, the outer leg elastics, the acquisition material, the corecover nonwoven web, the chassis adhesives, or the core adhesivescomprise a bio-based polyolefin with: a bio-based content from 5% to100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B; and wherein the absorbent articlecomprises a polyolefin content of at least about 90% by weight, based ona total weight of the absorbent article excluding the core absorbentmaterial; and wherein recycled polyolefin recovered from an entirety ofthe absorbent article via a recycling operation comprises a polyolefincontent of at least about 90% by weight, based on a total weight of theabsorbent article excluding the core absorbent material.
 2. Theabsorbent article of claim 1, wherein the polyolefin content comprisesat least about 95% by weight, based on the total weight of the absorbentarticle excluding the core absorbent material.
 3. The absorbent articleof claim 1, wherein the polyolefin content comprises at least about 99%by weight, based on the total weight of the absorbent article excludingthe core absorbent material.
 4. The absorbent article of claim 1,wherein the bio-based content of the superabsorbent polymers comprisesfrom about 10% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B.
 5. Theabsorbent article of claim 1, wherein the bio-based content of thesuperabsorbent polymers comprises from about 90% to about 100% usingASTM D6866-10, method B.
 6. The absorbent article of claim 1, whereinthe absorbent core comprises an absorbent core periphery comprising adog-bone shape, an hour-glass shape, or other shape tapering along itswidth towards a crotch region of the absorbent article.
 7. The absorbentarticle of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the nonwoven topsheet,the backsheet film, the backsheet nonwoven web, the landing zone, thestretch ear film, the back ear nonwoven web, the tape tabs, the earhooks, the front ear nonwoven web, the waist feature nonwoven web, thewaist feature elastics, the barrier leg cuff nonwoven web, the outer legelastics, the acquisition material, the core cover nonwoven web, thechassis adhesives, or the core adhesives that comprises the bio-basedpolyolefin comprises at least about 50% by weight of polyolefin.
 8. Anabsorbent article comprising the following enumerated components: (1) atopsheet; (2) a backsheet film; (3) a backsheet nonwoven web; (4) alanding zone; (5) a stretch ear film; (6) a back ear nonwoven web; (7)tape tabs; (8) ear hooks; (9) a front ear nonwoven web; (10) a waistfeature nonwoven web; (11) waist feature elastics; (12) a barrier legcuff nonwoven web; (13) outer leg elastics; (14) an acquisitionmaterial; (15) a core cover nonwoven web; (16) chassis adhesives; and(17) core adhesives; wherein the topsheet is joined to a backsheetdefined by the backsheet film and the backsheet nonwoven web; whereinthe core cover nonwoven web and a core absorbent material are positionedintermediate the topsheet and the backsheet; and wherein at least 13 ofthe 17 enumerated components of the absorbent article comprise one ormore polyolefins; wherein at least 3 of the 13 components comprising oneor more polyolefins comprise a bio-based polyolefin with: a bio-basedcontent from 5% to 100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B; and wherein thecore absorbent material comprises superabsorbent polymers with abio-based content from about 5% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10,method B; and wherein the absorbent core comprises one or a plurality ofchannels; wherein the absorbent article comprises a wetness indicator,and wherein recycled polyolefin recovered from an entirety of theabsorbent article via a recycling operation comprises a polyolefincontent of at least about 90% by weight, based on a total weight of theabsorbent article excluding the core absorbent material.
 9. Theabsorbent article of claim 8, wherein at least 14 of the 17 enumeratedcomponents of the absorbent article comprise one or more polyolefins,and wherein at least 4 of the 14 components comprising one or morepolyolefins comprise the bio-based polyolefin.
 10. The absorbent articleof claim 8, wherein at least 16 of the 17 enumerated components of theabsorbent article comprise one or more polyolefins, and wherein at least5 of the 16 components comprising one or more polyolefins comprise thebio-based polyolefin.
 11. The absorbent article of claim 8, wherein atleast one of the enumerated components that comprises one or morepolyolefins comprises a bio-based polyolefin with a bio-based contentfrom about 5% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B.
 12. Theabsorbent article of claim 8, wherein at least five of the enumeratedcomponents that comprise one or more polyolefins comprise a bio-basedpolyolefin with a bio-based content from about 5% to about 100% usingASTM D6866-10, method B.
 13. The absorbent article of claim 8, whereinthe superabsorbent polymers are made at least in part from bio-basedacrylic acid having a purity of about 98 weight % acrylic acid andwherein the absorbent article comprises a polyolefin content of at leastabout 95% by weight, based on the total weight of the absorbent articleexcluding the core absorbent material.
 14. The absorbent article ofclaim 8, wherein the absorbent core comprises an absorbent coreperiphery comprising a dog-bone shape, an hour-glass shape, or othershape tapering along its width towards a crotch region of the absorbentarticle.
 15. An absorbent article comprising the following enumeratedcomponents: (1) a topsheet; (2) a backsheet film; (3) a backsheetnonwoven web; (4) belt elastics; (5) a belt nonwoven web; (6) chassisadhesives; (7) a barrier leg cuff nonwoven web; (8) outer leg elastics;(9) an acquisition material; (10) a core cover nonwoven web; and (11)core adhesives; wherein the topsheet is joined to a backsheet defined bythe backsheet film and the backsheet nonwoven web; wherein the corecover nonwoven web and a core absorbent material are positionedintermediate the topsheet and the backsheet; wherein at least 7 of the11 enumerated components of the absorbent article comprise one or morepolyolefins; wherein at least 3 of the 7 components comprising one ormore polyolefins comprise a bio-based polyolefin with: a bio-basedcontent from 5% to 100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B; and wherein thecore absorbent material comprises superabsorbent polymers with abio-based content from about 5% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10,method B; and wherein the absorbent core comprises one or a plurality ofchannels; wherein the absorbent article comprises a wetness indicator,and wherein recycled polyolefin recovered from an entirety of theabsorbent article via a recycling operation comprises a polyolefincontent of at least about 90% by weight, based on a total weight of theabsorbent article excluding the core absorbent material.
 16. Theabsorbent article of claim 15, wherein at least 8 of the enumeratedcomponents of the absorbent article comprise one or more polyolefins,and wherein at least 4 of the 8 components comprising one or morepolyolefins comprise the bio-based polyolefin.
 17. The absorbent articleof claim 15, wherein at least 10 of the enumerated components of theabsorbent article comprise one or more polyolefins, and wherein at least5 of the 10 components comprising one or more polyolefins comprise thebio-based polyolefin.
 18. The absorbent article of claim 15, wherein atleast one of the enumerated components that comprises one or morepolyolefins comprises a bio-based polyolefin with a bio-based contentfrom about 5% to about 100% using ASTM D6866-10, method B.
 19. Theabsorbent article of claim 15, wherein at least five of the enumeratedcomponents that comprise one or more polyolefins comprise a bio-basedpolyolefin with a bio-based content from about 5% to about 100% usingASTM D6866-10, method B.
 20. The absorbent article of claim 15, whereinthe absorbent core comprises an absorbent core periphery comprising adog-bone shape, an hour-glass shape, or other shape tapering along itswidth towards a crotch region of the absorbent article.